Lagos, Nigeria – October 17, 2025 – The Lagos State Government has firmly defended the arrest of Nollywood actress Sarah Martins by Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials during her charity food drive in Lekki Phase 1, emphasizing that while acts of kindness are valued, they cannot override public health and safety protocols.
In a detailed statement released Friday morning, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab addressed the uproar sparked by Martins’ emotional Instagram Live, where the 35-year-old actress tearfully alleged physical assault, including a hot oil burn on her hand, as KAI officers seized her cooking gear and prepared meals meant for the homeless. “While the state appreciates acts of charity and benevolence, such initiatives must comply with established environmental and sanitation guidelines to ensure public health and safety,” Wahab stated, directly countering Martins’ narrative of unprovoked harassment. He described the roadside setup on Admiralty Way’s median as a clear violation of state laws prohibiting unauthorized open-air cooking on public infrastructure, which could pose risks like fire hazards, waste accumulation, and traffic disruptions in the bustling upscale area.
The incident erupted Thursday afternoon when Martins and her volunteers fired up pots of jollof rice and stewed chicken for distribution under her “Feed the Needy” banner—a recurring effort she’s championed amid Nigeria’s rising food insecurity. Viral videos show KAI officers in green uniforms dismantling the operation, loading utensils, gas cylinders, and food packs into a truck as Martins protested, pleading, “This is charity—I’m feeding the vulnerable!” One clip captures her visibly distraught, cradling her blistered hand after what she claims was a forceful yank on a boiling pot. Martins, hospitalized briefly for treatment, later posted graphic photos of the injury alongside a caption decrying the “bullying” and vowing legal recourse: “They turned my act of love into a crime scene.”
Wahab’s response, issued via the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, framed the enforcement as routine under the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns. “The Lagos State Government deeply appreciates the spirit of philanthropy… but such initiatives must be carried out in compliance with the state’s extant laws to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and urban order,” the statement elaborated, urging organizers to seek prior approvals or use designated venues. Officials denied intentional assault, attributing the burn to an “unfortunate mishap” during equipment removal, and noted Martins was promptly released after identification—no charges were filed. The commissioner extended well-wishes for her recovery while calling for collaborative philanthropy: “We urge all residents and organizations… to partner with relevant agencies for guidance on compliant practices.”
Public backlash has been swift and fierce, with social media erupting in support of Martins and accusations of selective enforcement. Hashtags #JusticeForSarahMartins and #EndKAIAbuse trended nationwide, amassing over 100,000 posts by midday, as users shared clips of the scuffle and contrasted it with unregulated street vendors like suya sellers and puff-puff fryers operating unchecked on major roads. “Why arrest a woman feeding the poor but ignore the chaos from hawkers? This is classism in uniform,” tweeted one Lagos resident, echoing a sentiment amplified by celebrities including Tonto Dikeh, who labeled it “heartless overreach,” and Yul Edochie, demanding a probe into KAI’s methods. Human rights activist Segun Awosanya (@segalink) weighed in, calling for body cams on officers to prevent such escalations.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s aide on environment, Gawat, chimed in on X, justifying the action with a post: “KEEP LAGOS CLEAN. This Lady claims she is ‘cooking for charity’ and she is using the Median around Admiralty, Lekki Phase 1 as her ‘kitchen’. The KAI officials have arrested her with all her equipment and cleaned up the whole axis.” Yet, critics like media personality Daddy Freeze questioned the optics: “Charity on a median is wrong? What about the environmental mess from those daily enforcements?”
This clash highlights ongoing tensions in Lagos, Africa’s largest megacity, where aggressive sanitation drives often collide with grassroots goodwill amid economic hardships—food inflation hit 40% this year, per NBS data. Past KAI controversies, including raids on informal traders, have drawn UN scrutiny for disproportionate force. Martins, undeterred, announced via stories that her foundation would pivot to approved sites, appealing for donations to replace lost supplies: “Rules or no rules, hunger waits for no permit.”
As calls for an independent review grow, the government insists its stance promotes a “clean, sustainable, and livable Lagos.” For Martins, the scar—literal and figurative—serves as a stark reminder: In the city of dreams, even good intentions need a license.
NigeriaWire News Desk. Additional insights from social media and official statements.