Lagos warns Sarah Martins over street cooking, saying the activity violates environmental laws and may lead to arrest if repeated

The Lagos State Government has warned Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to stop cooking and distributing food on public streets, cautioning that she risks arrest and prosecution if the activity continues.

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The warning was issued in a public statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who addressed the actress directly over the practice.

Tokunbo Wahab acknowledged the charitable intentions behind Martins’ outreach but stressed that cooking or trading on public roads, walkways, and medians is prohibited under Lagos environmental and public order regulations.

“While we acknowledge and appreciate the spirit of charity and compassion behind what you are trying to do, carrying out such activities on public roads, walkways or medians is not permitted under Lagos environmental and public order regulations,” Wahab said.

He explained that such activities pose safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns within the state.

The commissioner also revealed that the actress had previously been cautioned over a similar incident last year but had resumed the activity.

“Cooking or trading on public infrastructure poses safety, sanitation and traffic concerns.

You were previously cautioned about this same issue last year due to the understanding of its philanthropic intention and pleas,” he added.

According to Wahab, the government expects residents and visitors to comply with environmental regulations in the state.

“If you wish to continue your charitable outreach, it should be done through proper channels and in approved locations so that your efforts can support vulnerable people without violating existing laws and constituting environmental nuisance,” he said.

The Sarah Martins street cooking warning follows earlier enforcement action in October 2025 when officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force apprehended the actress while she was cooking on a road median in Lekki and seized her equipment.

Videos from the incident circulated widely online, showing the actress appearing distressed and claiming she sustained a burn from spilled hot oil during the confrontation.

The development sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians criticising the conduct of enforcement officers while others supported the government’s action.

The controversy also drew attention after Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, clarified that although some of his friends had raised ₦20 million to help support Martins’ foundation, he did not personally donate the funds and did not support activities that violate Lagos State laws.

Sarah Martins, known for her strong social media presence and philanthropic outreach, has frequently shared videos of herself preparing meals and distributing them to residents on Lagos streets.