Music video director TG Omori has revealed his ordeal at the hands of street beggars in Lagos during a video shoot.

According to TG Omori, some thugs who learnt of his presence besieged the building where work was underway, insisting that he show them love before he could be allowed to leave.

He shared on X, "I was out in Ikoyi filming the other day at 3 am and there was a large crowd of thugs outside screaming TG Omori you go show us love before you comot for here. Long story short, I snuck out, leaving the shoot to my ADs and security with one more active scene left. My producer told me in the morning that the thugs broke the gate and injured the security who refused them access. It’s hell outside."

In another post, he wrote, "Shooting with all the thugs threatening and chanting your name in the background already puts you under pressure and unnecessary rush. Most times you come with a creative plan, but you are already fighting thugs for 4hours and by the time you are done, you feel already irritated so you just wanna go home, ending up with almost nothing after wasting millions on rentals, crew and cast."

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government officials have claimed that the menace of street begging by hoodlums was encouraged by celebrities and influencers chasing clout.

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared on X:

"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.

"While we fully acknowledge that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety, security, and orderliness of our streets, we must also recognise the role that individual actions play in sustaining these challenges.

"We therefore urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads. Collective responsibility and cooperation are essential to building a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos."

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, stated that government alone can’t solve the problem of street begging as there are two sides to every action.

"How about those who patronise some of these guys for social media validation? We must jointly address social behaviour if we intend to win the war against social disorder. But, Govt will continue to step up work to address all the issues," he shared on X.

ASA