Lagos State Defends KAI Action Against Sarah Martins Street Cooking

 

The Lagos State Government has addressed the controversy surrounding the arrest of popular actress Sarah Martins by officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI). According to the government, the actress was apprehended for engaging in unauthorized activities on public infrastructure, specifically, cooking on a road median in Lekki Phase 1.

In an official statement issued on Friday, October 17, by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the ministry clarified that Sarah Martins’ so-called “charitable street cooking” violated environmental and sanitation laws designed to keep Lagos clean, organized, and safe.

“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 activities on public infrastructure,” Wahab stated.

He added that while the state appreciates the charitable intentions behind such actions, they must comply with existing laws to maintain environmental order and public safety. The government emphasized that unauthorized use of public spaces, especially road medians, can cause damage to infrastructure, pose health risks, and disrupt traffic.

The Commissioner reaffirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to maintaining a clean, sustainable, and livable Lagos, stressing that enforcement operations like this one are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns. These initiatives aim to protect public infrastructure and promote proper use of shared urban spaces.

“Our enforcement actions, including the arrest and removal of equipment in this case, are part of our ongoing efforts to preserve Lagos’s aesthetic and functional integrity,” Wahab added.

He also encouraged residents, influencers, and organizations planning charitable or public events to collaborate with relevant government agencies to ensure they meet all environmental standards and obtain necessary approvals.

The Lagos State Government concluded by urging Lagosians to act responsibly while contributing to the community, noting that goodwill efforts should never compromise public safety or environmental standards.