Lagos Govt Slams Critics, Justifies KAI’s Action Against Actress Sarah Martins in Fierce #KeepLagosClean Push -

The Lagos State Government has defended the controversial enforcement action involving Nollywood actress Sarah Martins and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), describing it as a necessary step to uphold the state’s environmental and public order laws.

It was reported that Martins, founder of the Golden Heart Foundation, had on Thursday accused KAI officials of harassment after they allegedly stopped her from cooking meals for residents on a street in Lekki.

Viral videos circulating on social media showed the visibly shaken actress in tears, clutching her swollen hand said to have been burnt by hot oil during the encounter. The incident triggered widespread outrage online, with many Nigerians condemning what they called excessive force, while others backed the state’s enforcement of public-space regulations.

In a statement released Friday on X.com, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said Martins was apprehended for carrying out “unauthorised activities on public infrastructure,” specifically the road median.

“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns designed to protect the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab stated.

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While commending the goodwill behind Martins’s charitable gesture, the ministry stressed that “philanthropy does not exempt anyone from the law.”

“The individual in question claimed to be conducting charitable cooking activities on the road median, which contravenes existing environmental and sanitation regulations,” the statement added.

According to Wahab, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and livable city. He warned that the unauthorised use of public spaces for personal or commercial activities poses risks to infrastructure, health, and traffic flow.

The commissioner urged residents to use designated areas or obtain official approval before hosting similar activities.

“We encourage residents and organisations engaged in charitable works to partner with relevant agencies for guidance. Such collaboration will amplify goodwill while safeguarding our shared urban environment,” Wahab said.

Sanwo-Olu’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, also confirmed that the enforcement action was part of Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to sustain cleanliness and order across the metropolis.