The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to celebrities, social media influencers and other members of the public against actions that could encourage or promote the activities of agberos (street urchins) across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning in a post on X on Sunday, accompanied by a video documentary highlighting the activities of street urchins in Lagos.
Reacting to the video, Wahab wrote; “The state government has consistently apprehended and dislodged these street urchins from various locations across the state.
“However, the continued financial support and patronage they receive from some influencers, celebrities, and members of the public, as seen in this video, inadvertently encourage them to return to the streets and, in some cases, view it as a lucrative means of livelihood, while also breeding a sense of entitlement,” he wrote.
“We urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads.
“Collective responsibility and cooperation are essential to building a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos.”
