‘Stop Encouraging Agberos’ — Lagos Govt Appeals To Celebrities, Residents.

 

The Lagos State Government has urged celebrities, social media influencers and members of the public to stop actions that encourage the activities of street urchins, popularly known as agberos.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning in a post on X on Sunday, August 9, 2026, while reacting to a video documentary showing alleged violent activities by street urchins in parts of Lagos.

Wahab said the state government had consistently conducted 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, including celebrities and influencers, continued to encourage the return of the street urchins.

"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," he wrote.

The commissioner acknowledged the responsibility of the government 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 promote street begging, lawlessness, insecurity and environmental nuisance on the state's roads.

"We urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads," Wahab added.

He emphasised the need for collective action and cooperation between the government and residents to address the issue.

"Collective responsibility and cooperation are essential to building a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos," the commissioner stated.