Media personality Daddy Freeze has publicly disagreed with Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat's description of car spotters as criminals, arguing that the government's hard-line stance is unfair and overlooks the lack of legitimate opportunities for young people. In a video shared on his Instagram page on August 13, 2026, Daddy Freeze acknowledged that some car spotters behave aggressively but insisted that the entire activity should not be criminalized.
Background: Deputy Governor's Crackdown Pledge
The controversy began when Obafemi Hamzat condemned the practice of car spotters stopping luxury vehicles along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. He described the activity as criminal and pledged a full clampdown, adding that surveillance cameras had already helped authorities apprehend several offenders, some of whom are currently facing trial at a Magistrate Court. Hamzat also criticized area boys who harassed guests at TikTok star Peller and Jarvis's wedding, calling such conduct unacceptable.
Daddy Freeze responded by saying he understands why the activity could be irritating, but he stopped short of agreeing that participants deserve criminal treatment. He admitted that car spotters can sometimes be aggressive and has personally spoken to popular figures in the space, including YL and Lekki Car Guy, urging them to stop running after vehicles or blocking traffic.
Daddy Freeze's Argument: An Industry Created From Nothing
In his video, Daddy Freeze highlighted that car spotters have essentially built an industry from scratch. "Abroad, car spotters just stand by the side of the road and take their pictures and shoot their videos and go their way," he said. He then questioned what legitimate opportunities the state has actually created for young people, noting: "These guys created an industry out of nothing. All they do is buy phones and stand by the side of the road and take pictures of cars that are passing, get some gifts, upload the videos, get some monetised content. If not for this, what else would they do?"
He argued that the government's hard-line position ignores this bigger question and fails to consider the economic reality facing many youths in Lagos.
Proposed Solution: Guidelines, Taxation, and Police Presence
Rather than a crackdown, Daddy Freeze called for a structured approach. He suggested that the government establish clear guidelines, introduce taxation on the income generated, provide equipment, and deploy police presence to ensure order. He argued that anyone who violates the rules should then face consequences, not everyone involved in the activity wholesale.
"What you should do is create guidelines, tax them, create opportunities, supply them equipment, put police presence there, give them guidelines. If they go beyond those guidelines, arrest them. But to outrightly say that they're criminal? I think it's unfair," he stated.
Daddy Freeze closed by urging the government to rethink its position and recognize the potential of an industry it could regulate and benefit from, rather than simply shut down. His comments add to the ongoing debate over the future of car spotting in Lagos, with the government yet to respond to his proposal.
