The Lagos State Government has urged celebrities, social media influencers and residents to stop actions that could encourage the activities of street urchins, popularly known as agberos, across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the appeal on Sunday while reacting to a video documentary documenting the activities of street urchins in different parts of Lagos.
Wahab said the state government had continued to carry out enforcement operations to apprehend and dislodge street urchins from various locations across the state.
However, he noted that financial support and patronage from some members of the public had continued to undermine the government’s efforts.
According to the commissioner, some celebrities, influencers and other residents unknowingly encourage street urchins by giving them money or patronising their activities.
“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,” Wahab said.
The commissioner acknowledged the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order and protect residents but stressed that members of the public also had a role to play in tackling the menace.
He urged Lagos residents to avoid activities that could encourage street begging, lawlessness, insecurity and other practices capable of causing environmental nuisance on the state’s roads.
Wahab also called for greater cooperation between the government and residents, saying collective responsibility was essential to building a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos.
“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,” he added.