The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to celebrities, social media influencers, and the general public to stop encouraging the activities of street urchins, popularly known as 'agberos'. The warning comes in response to a viral video documentary depicting the violent actions of these street urchins across the state.
Commissioner's Reaction to Viral Video
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, August 9, to address the issue. He was tagged in the video, which showed agberos terrorizing residents and engaging in violent acts. Wahab expressed concern that despite repeated government operations to dislodge these street urchins, they continue to return due to the support they receive from certain members of the public.
According to Wahab, the state government has consistently carried out operations to apprehend and remove street urchins from various locations. However, the financial assistance and patronage from influencers, celebrities, and other individuals inadvertently encourage these urchins to view street life as a lucrative means of livelihood.
Government's Stance on Law and Order
The commissioner stressed that while the government has a responsibility to maintain law and order and protect residents, the public also has a crucial role to play in addressing the problem. He urged everyone to desist from actions that could promote street begging, lawlessness, insecurity, and activities that create environmental problems on Lagos roads.
Wahab's statement read: "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."
Call for Collective Responsibility
In his concluding remarks, Wahab emphasized the need for collective responsibility and cooperation to build a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos. He said, "We 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."
The warning highlights the ongoing challenge of managing street urchins in Lagos, a city with a population exceeding 20 million. The government has previously launched operations to clear agberos from major intersections and markets, but their return remains a persistent issue. This latest appeal underscores the importance of public cooperation in maintaining urban order and safety.
