Lagos State Urges Celebrities, Influencers, And Residents To Stop Financial Handouts To Touts
By Oludare Joshua
The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to celebrities, influencers, and residents to refrain from giving money to street touts, emphasizing that such actions exacerbate insecurity and environmental issues in the city.
In a statement posted on X, Tokunbo Wahab, the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, stated, “Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants.”
He explained that handing out cash does not resolve the underlying problems but rather encourages individuals to remain on the streets, fostering a culture of lawlessness. “Each time you give them money, you are not solving their problem; you are emboldening them to multiply and reinforcing a cycle of disorder,” Wahab added.
Wahab highlighted that what may appear as acts of kindness can complicate law enforcement efforts and contribute to larger security and environmental challenges for all residents.
His comments followed a report from resident Olukayode Ajenifuja, who raised concerns on X about harassment along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Ajenifuja called on the state to deploy officers from the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to protect motorists from harassment, extortion, and intimidation by unsheltered youth in the area, describing them as a pervasive menace.
This warning came in the wake of an incident involving touts and luxury car content creators pursuing a convoy believed to be transporting Afrobeats star Burna Boy. The group attempted to solicit money, with some filming the encounter, but they were blocked from reaching the vehicle by Burna Boy’s security detail.
Wahab reiterated the government’s commitment to combating this growing issue, urging residents to support efforts in curbing miscreant activities by refusing to contribute to their sustainability through monetary handouts.
