The Lagos State Government has responded to public reactions surrounding the recent incident involving Nollywood actress Sarah Martins and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), defending the officers’ actions as lawful and necessary.
According to the government, the enforcement was carried out to prevent the unauthorised use of public infrastructure for personal or commercial purposes.
Okay News reports that the incident occurred on Thursday when Sarah Martins, founder of the Golden Heart Foundation, alleged that she was harassed by KAI officers while cooking food for charity along a street in Lekki.
Videos that circulated online showed the actress visibly emotional, holding her hand, which appeared swollen and covered with a liquid substance believed to be hot oil spilled during the confrontation. The video sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians condemning the officers’ approach and others supporting the enforcement of state regulations.
Addressing the situation on X.com on Friday, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that Martins was apprehended for “engaging in unauthorised activities on public infrastructure,” specifically on a road median.
“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns aimed at preserving the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab stated.
He acknowledged the charitable motive behind the actress’s actions but stressed that good intentions must still align with state laws. “The individual in question claimed to be conducting charitable cooking activities on the road median, which unfortunately contravened existing environmental and sanitation regulations,” the statement read.
The Commissioner further noted that while the government values philanthropy, all activities must comply with laws meant to ensure public safety, protect the environment, and maintain urban order.
Wahab reaffirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to building a clean and sustainable Lagos, emphasizing that public spaces like road medians are not to be used for cooking or business purposes due to safety and infrastructure concerns.
He also urged residents and organisations involved in charitable work to liaise with the appropriate authorities for guidance and necessary approvals. “This collaborative approach will help amplify the impact of goodwill while safeguarding our shared urban spaces,” Wahab added.
The Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Jubril Gawat, also confirmed that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to keep Lagos clean and organized.
