The Lagos State Government has reacted to allegations made by Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, who accused some uniformed men of assaulting her while she was feeding the less privileged in the state.
Sarah had taken to her Instagram page to narrate her ordeal, sharing that the incident occurred while she was cooking for homeless people on the streets of Lekki.
According to her, a group of uniformed men, believed to be officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI), stormed her charity setup, disrupted her cooking, and carted away her food and equipment.
In response to the viral video, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources released an official statement on Thursday, October 16, clarifying its position on the matter.
The ministry confirmed that the actress was indeed apprehended by its environmental officers but stated that her activities violated existing sanitation and safety regulations.
According to the statement, Sarah was cooking on a road median in the Admiralty area of Lekki Phase 1, an act the government described as unauthorized use of public infrastructure.
The statement read: “While the state appreciates the spirit of philanthropy, such initiatives must comply with environmental and sanitation laws to ensure public safety.”
The ministry added that using public spaces for personal or commercial purposes could damage infrastructure, disrupt traffic flow, and pose health hazards to residents.
The government, however, acknowledged the importance of charitable activities and encouraged Lagosians to carry them out within the framework of the law.
The statement added: “We urge all residents and organizations involved in charitable work to partner with relevant agencies for guidance on compliant practices.”
Read the statement below:
The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources wishes to address a recent incident in the Admiralty area of Lekki Phase 1, where an individual was apprehended by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) for engaging in unauthorized… pic.twitter.com/QZZ0HtCKlh
— Tokunbo Wahab (@tokunbo_wahab) October 17, 2025
