Lagos Government Warns Celebrities, Influencers Against Supporting Agberos in Viral Video Crackdown Appeal

The Lagos State Government has appealed to celebrities, social media influencers, and other residents to stop actions that could encourage street urchins, commonly referred to as agberos, to engage in such activities.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning on X on Sunday, August 9, after being tagged in a video documenting alleged violent activities involving street urchins in Lagos.

Wahab said the state government had repeatedly carried out operations to apprehend and remove the individuals from different parts of the state. However, he argued that financial support and patronage from members of the public could undermine those efforts by encouraging them to return to the streets.

He said some people may come to regard the streets as a profitable source of income, while repeated patronage could also create a sense of entitlement.

“The state government has consistently apprehended and dislodged these street urchins from various locations across the state,” Wahab wrote.

He acknowledged that the government has a responsibility to maintain law and order and protect residents, but said members of the public also have a role in tackling the problem.

The commissioner urged Lagos residents to avoid actions that could encourage street begging, lawlessness, insecurity and activities that contribute to environmental problems on the city’s roads.

“We urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads,” he added.

Wahab stressed that cooperation between the government and residents was necessary to create a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos.