The Lagos State Government has denied assaulting actress Sarah Martins during her charity outreach.
It said her roadside cooking violated sanitation laws and urged citizens to seek proper approval for such activities.
Newskobo.com earlier reported that Sarah Martins was allegedly assaulted by uniformed officers during a charity outreach in Lagos.
The Lagos State Government has reacted to claims by Nollywood actress Sarah Martins that she was assaulted by officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) during one of her community outreach programmes.
Martins had alleged on Instagram that she was harassed and her cooking equipment seized while she was preparing meals for the less privileged on the streets of Lagos.
However, in a statement on Friday, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, said the actress’s actions violated the state’s environmental and sanitation regulations.
Wahab explained that while the government encourages charitable efforts, such activities must comply with existing laws to ensure public safety and environmental order.
“The individual in question claimed to be conducting charitable cooking activities on the road median, which unfortunately contravened existing environmental and sanitation regulations.
“The Lagos State Government deeply appreciates the spirit of philanthropy and community support demonstrated by many residents, but such initiatives must be carried out in compliance with the state’s laws to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and urban order,” Wahab stated.
He added that the enforcement was not targeted at Martins personally, but aimed at preventing potential safety hazards and traffic obstructions.
“Lagosians are encouraged to use designated spaces or seek necessary approvals for such activities so they can contribute positively without compromising the state’s standards,” he added.
