Lagos Defends KAI’s Action Against Actress Sarah Martins Over ‘Unauthorised Street Cooking’

The Lagos State Government has defended the actions of officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in their encounter with Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, describing the enforcement as a lawful step against unauthorised activities on public infrastructure.

This clarification came on Friday in a statement issued by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Wahab explained that Actress Martins was apprehended for engaging in unauthorised activities on a road median in Lekki, noting that her actions contravened environmental and sanitation regulations.

“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns aimed at preserving the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab said.

He added that while the state government recognises and appreciates philanthropic gestures, such activities must adhere to established laws to ensure public safety and maintain order.

“The individual in question claimed to be conducting charitable cooking activities on the road median, which unfortunately contravened existing environmental and sanitation regulations,” the commissioner stated.

“While the Lagos State Government deeply appreciates the spirit of philanthropy and community support demonstrated by many residents, such initiatives must be carried out in compliance with the state’s extant laws to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and urban order,” he added.

The statement followed widespread outrage after videos emerged on social media showing Martins, founder of the Golden Heart Foundation, crying and clutching her swollen hand, allegedly burned by hot oil during the enforcement.

The actress had accused KAI officials of harassment, claiming she was stopped from distributing food to people on the street in Lekki. The videos sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians condemning what they described as excessive force, while others argued that the task force was simply enforcing the law.

Wahab, however, stressed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to maintaining a clean, sustainable, and livable city.

“Unauthorised use of public spaces, such as road medians, for commercial or personal activities poses significant risks, including damage to infrastructure, health hazards, and disruption to traffic flow,” he said.

The commissioner also advised Lagos residents and organisations engaging in charitable or public activities to seek approval from relevant authorities.

“We urge all residents and organisations involved in charitable endeavours to partner with relevant agencies for guidance on compliant practices. This collaborative approach will help amplify the impact of goodwill while safeguarding our shared urban spaces,” Wahab added.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, had on Thursday confirmed that the KAI operation was part of the government’s broader effort to keep Lagos clean and maintain urban order.