The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to celebrities, influencers, and residents against giving money to touts, stressing that the practice fuels insecurity and worsens environmental challenges across the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that handing out cash to miscreants only strengthens their presence on the streets.
According to him, what many see as charity is instead a cycle that emboldens lawlessness.
“While your opinion is valid, let me also stress an important point: 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 said in a statement.
He further emphasized that the Lagos State Government warns against giving money to touts not as a measure to punish the poor, but as part of wider efforts to restore safety and order.
The commissioner noted that while many residents believe they are showing compassion, the unintended outcome is increased harassment, extortion, and insecurity.
“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.
Wahab urged Lagosians to cooperate with government policies, stressing that only collective discipline can bring lasting solutions.
“The public must support government efforts by refusing to encourage these miscreants so we can create a safer and more secure environment for everyone,” he said.
The caution followed a social media complaint by an X user, Ajenifuja, who highlighted growing intimidation along the Lekki–Epe Expressway.
He wrote: “The state needs to station the men of the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to help and protect motorists from the harassment, extortion, assault, and intimidation by the many homeless boys and teenagers along that corridor. They are all a menace to us all.”
The concerns reflect the daily struggles of many Lagos motorists who face pressure from street urchins in exchange for passage, especially in high-traffic areas.
Wahab assured that the state is committed to addressing the menace but reiterated that citizens’ cooperation is vital.
Moreover, he stated that the government is exploring sustainable ways to rehabilitate street children while cracking down on those exploiting the situation.
Furthermore, officials noted that the Ember Months often bring an increase in street activity, which calls for greater vigilance from both motorists and security agencies.
