'Stop giving beggars money' - Lagos State Commissioner tells celebrities, influencers

• Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, faults people who give beggars money. Says such actions encourage them.

• Wahab disclosed that the government have been arresting and dislodging beggars across the state.

• His statement comes amidst the rising menace of street begging in Lagos, which is increasing the risk to lives and property.

Replying to a post on X, drawing his attention to the documentary narrating the recent increase in street begging, thuggery, and harassment of motorists, Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, disclosed that the state has been actively arresting and dislodging beggars across the state. He, however, faulted the celebrities, influencers, and members of the public whose act of giving the beggars money encourages them to return to the street.

"Thank you for the feedback. 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.

While we fully acknowledge that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety, security, and orderliness of our streets, we must also recognise the role that individual actions play in sustaining these challenges. We therefore 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. Thank you!"

The menace of street begging is not new in Lagos or other parts of the country; however, there has been a growing trend of young men loitering the streets of Lagos and chasing down flashy cars for money. Throughout 2026, videos have circulated on social media capturing these young men in their 100s chasing down flashy cars and refusing drivers access until they are given money. While celebrities are often the focus of their begging, the groups of street urchins have also targeted luxury-looking cars.

The rise in the trend of street begging has increased concerns for the safety of motorists, as videos have circulated online showing the beggars vandalising cars of drivers who refuse to give them money. Recently, the sister of Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr lamented how her car was vandalised by street beggars after she failed to give them money. Earlier in the year, Afrobeats star Mavo and content creator Samuel Banks both lamented damage to their cars by street boys begging for money.

While Wahab faulted celebrities, influencers, and Lagosians who give money to the beggars, some observers have argued that the funds are to avoid possible conflict and damage to themselves and their cars rather than an act of encouraging the beggars.

With the growing concerns about street begging in Lagos and its threat to lives and properties, it's expected that the government would redouble its efforts to curb the menace.