It began like one of her usual days of giving back. Nollywood actress Sarah Martins had taken her cooking pots and gas cylinder to the streets of Lagos, as she said she often does, to make free food for the homeless and vulnerable. But what started as an act of kindness ended in pain and confusion.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on October 16, 2025, Sarah appeared emotional and visibly shaken. Her hand glistened with oil as she held it out, surrounded by concerned bystanders. The caption beneath the video read simply, “My heart aches.”
She explained that while she was cooking, some uniformed men, identified as KAI officers, from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) allegedly harassed her. The actress shared how they took away her food, seized her gas cylinder, and, in the chaos, poured hot oil on her hand. Sarah Martins wrote:
“Today as I was cooking free food for the vulnerable and homeless people on the street of Lagos like I always do, some uniform men came there, harassed me, bullied me and took away the food I was cooking, took away my cooking gas and everything I was making free food with.”
“My only offense was serving love on a plate through my healthy meals.
I am not a chef and I do not cook to sell.
My heart aches😭😭😭.”
As of the time she posted it, there had been no official response from KAI or any Lagos State authority. But her video quickly drew widespread sympathy and anger online. Fellow celebrities and fans alike flooded her page with comments asking why an act of charity would attract such aggression. Others urged the Lagos government to investigate and ensure her safety.
A Public Act of Kindness Turned Public Pain
For many followers, Sarah’s post was deeper than just a celebrity story and more about an average Nigerian’s reality. It captured a painful contradiction that many Lagosians recognize, which is about the struggle between humanity and the systems meant to regulate public life.
Sarah has often used her platform to speak up for ordinary people. In the past year alone, she’s gone viral several times. To mention but a few she once cried out over an outrageous electricity bill, and another time she defended herself against accusations of living above her means. She told critics she is a “legit hustler,” emphasizing that she works hard for her money.
Beyond the glamour of film sets and red carpets, Sarah has become known for her outspoken nature and her empathy toward the less privileged. Her feed shows several instances of her reaching out to street dwellers, or simply sharing encouraging words. That image of compassion now stands at the heart of her latest ordeal.
The Incident That Sparked an Online Outcry
The incident happened in the open. Onlookers could be heard expressing shock in the clip she uploaded. Sarah appeared in a black outfit, visibly distraught as she was attended to by people around her. The scene drew questions about why enforcement officers would interrupt a charitable act, and what exactly might have provoked the confrontation.
While it remains unclear what led to the alleged harassment, many users in her comment section connected it to Lagos’ increasing clampdown on street activities, a policy aimed at curbing environmental violations but often criticized for its heavy-handedness.
By morning, the video had amassed over 36,000 likes and thousands of comments, with fans, activists, and fellow actors demanding accountability. Some also shared similar experiences of being harassed by local task force agents while engaging in community outreach.
Sarah Martins — The Woman Behind the Viral Post
Sarah Martins, whose real name is Sarah Chukwukere Ujunwa, is a Nollywood actress and entrepreneur known for her expressive personality both on and off screen. Over the past few years, she has built a reputation for being candid and sometimes being controversial about her experiences in the entertainment industry.
The 32-year-old gained broader attention after publicly defending actress Yul Edochie’s second wife, Judy Austin, during the height of their social media storm. Her outspoken loyalty made her a target of online criticism, but she stood her ground. Since then, Sarah has evolved from a supporting actress to a strong digital presence, using her platform to discuss moral, emotional, and social issues.
Her followers describe her as bold and unfiltered, yet soft-hearted, which explains why her latest post struck such a nerve. Many Nigerians saw in her story a mirror of the everyday struggle between doing good and being misunderstood.
A Larger Conversation About Public Service and Street Safety
Sarah’s experience raises a broader question about Lagos and its relationship with its citizens. The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, known as KAI, was created to enforce cleanliness and order in public spaces. Their officers often patrol markets, parks, and roadside areas to prevent illegal street trading or unhygienic practices.
But their methods have often come under public scrutiny. Lagos residents have at times accused them of harassment, intimidation, and excessive force especially against small traders, hawkers, and the poor.
Sarah’s case, if verified, may once again bring that conversation to the forefront. It also highlights how the lines between law enforcement and empathy can sometimes blur, leaving ordinary citizens or in this case, a celebrity doing charity, feeling helpless.
Conclusion
In her post, Sarah did not sound bitter. She sounded heartbroken. She ended it without anger or insults, only pain. Her message read more like a cry for understanding than a call for vengeance.
And maybe that is what resonated most with Nigerians scrolling through their feeds, upon seeing her post. It wasn’t just that she was hurt, but that she was hurt while trying to do something good. Her story reminded many of the quiet weight that comes with compassion and the risks that sometimes come with being visible.
Whether or not KAI responds or takes action, Sarah Martins has once again used her voice to spotlight something larger than herself. Her story has become a reflection of the everyday Lagos struggle.
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