The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to celebrities, social media influencers, and residents to stop giving money to street touts, arguing that such acts of perceived kindness are actually exacerbating security challenges across the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this declaration while addressing public concerns about harassment and extortion by street miscreants, particularly along the Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor.
The warning came in response to a complaint posted on X by a concerned resident who highlighted the activities of “homeless boys and teenagers” along the busy expressway. The complainant called for the deployment of Lagos State Neighborhood Watch personnel to protect motorists from “harassment, extortion, assault and intimidation.”
In his response, Commissioner Wahab explained that monetary donations to street touts create a counterproductive cycle that encourages more criminal behavior rather than addressing underlying problems.
“Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants. Each time you hand them cash, you are not solving their problem; you are encouraging them to stay on the streets, emboldening them to multiply, and reinforcing a cycle of lawlessness,” Wahab stated.
The Commissioner emphasized that what many people consider charitable acts actually complicate law enforcement efforts and create broader security risks for all Lagos residents.
“What may seem like an act of kindness only makes enforcement more difficult and creates bigger security and environmental concerns for all of us,” he added.
The warning reflects growing concerns about the proliferation of street touts and miscreants in various parts of Lagos, particularly in high-traffic areas where they target motorists and pedestrians for money.
The Lekki-Epe Expressway, being one of Lagos State’s major arterial roads connecting the mainland to island areas, has become a particular hotspot for such activities, with reports of aggressive approaches by young men seeking handouts from vehicle occupants.
The state government’s position suggests a shift toward discouraging direct cash assistance to street populations, likely as part of broader efforts to maintain order and security on Lagos roads.
This development comes as Lagos authorities continue to grapple with various forms of street-level crime and disorder, seeking sustainable solutions that address root causes rather than enabling continued street presence of potential troublemakers.
