The Lagos State Government has warned celebrities, influencers, and residents against the act of giving money to touts on the streets.

Naijaonpoint reports that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning while responding to a complaint by an 𝕏 user.

The netizen raised concerns over harassment and extortion by homeless boys and teenagers along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, calling on the state government to take urgent action.

... read, “The State needs to station the men of the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to help & protect motorists from the harassment, extortion, assault & intimidation by the many homeless boys & teenagers along that corridor, they are all a menace to us all @followlasg @tokunbo_wahab”

In response, Wahab said that what many people consider kindness is actually making the problem worse.

According to the Commissioner, each time money is handed out, the miscreants are encouraged to remain on the streets, multiply, and reinforce lawlessness.

He wrote, “Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants. Each time you hand them cash, you are not solving their problem; you are encouraging them to stay on the streets, emboldening them to multiply, and reinforcing a cycle of lawlessness.

“What may seem like an act of kindness only makes enforcement more difficult and creates bigger security and environmental concerns for all of us.”