Comedian Sabinus Calls Out 'Agbero' Menace in Lagos
Comedian Sabinus and other public figures like Sarah Martins and I Go Save have voiced significant concerns over the alarming rise of 'Agbero' activities and begging in Lagos. Recent incidents, including a viral video involving Burna Boy, have fueled a wider debate on the growing begging culture across Nigeria, prompting calls for government intervention.
Nigerian comedian and content creator Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ijekwu, widely known as Sabinus, has publicly voiced his deep concern regarding the escalating problem of 'Agbero' activities in Lagos. Reposting a video depicting Lagos 'agberos' at Onikan Stadium, Sabinus lamented what he described as an 'Agbero pandemic,' expressing his reluctance to elaborate further due to potential public backlash. He specifically conveyed disappointment at the sight of grown men, many of whom are presumed to be family breadwinners, engaging in such behavior, stating, “I don wash my hands for this matter.”
This sentiment resonates with recent public discussions surrounding begging culture in Lagos. Just a day prior, social media was abuzz with a viral video showing young men chasing after Burna Boy’s Bugatti car outside a Lagos club in the early morning. This incident, which garnered millions of views online, ignited widespread debate about the prevalence and implications of begging within the city.
Similarly, actress Sarah Martins had earlier this year decried the overwhelming number of beggars inundating her direct messages, issuing a stern warning for them to cease. Comedian I Go Save has also contributed to the conversation, highlighting what he perceives as a growing pandemic of beggars in Lagos. He notably drew a distinction between beggars in Northern Nigeria, who typically hold plates, and their counterparts in Lagos, whom he observed holding stones, implying a more aggressive approach.
I Go Save further called upon the government to take decisive action to curb the increasing number of beggars in Lagos. Beyond the specific context of Lagos, he has also commented on the alarming rate of begging in public spaces across Nigeria. While acknowledging the country's economic hardships, the comedian urged people to exercise restraint with their begging, emphasizing that everyone is currently facing challenges.