DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Area boys damaged my car – Ayra Starr’s sister cries out

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ayra Starr's sister, Saltiana (DJ Salt of Life), reported that suspected 'area boys' damaged her car in Lagos.
  • The incident occurred because the men mistook her for her famous sister, Ayra Starr, and repeatedly shouted her name.
  • Saltiana expressed concern over the growing harassment of motorists by street touts in Lagos, who demand money and vandalize vehicles.

Saltiana, the younger sister of Afrobeats star Ayra Starr and known as DJ Salt of Life, reported that her car was damaged by suspected 'area boys' in Lagos. She claims the incident happened on Saturday when the men mistook her for her famous sister. Saltiana shared her distress on Instagram Stories, detailing how the attackers repeatedly shouted Ayra Starr's name during the assault on her vehicle.

They damaged my car yesterday and honestly it was so sad!!!

— SaltianaExpressing her feelings after her car was damaged.

"They damaged my car yesterday and honestly it was so sad!!!" she wrote. "And the fact that they kept shouting Ayra Starr because they thought I was her made it even worse. THIS HAS TO STOP." Saltiana described the situation as upsetting and highlighted a growing trend of harassment faced by motorists in Lagos. She explained that street touts, often referred to as Agberos or Area Boys, frequently target drivers of expensive vehicles, demanding money and resorting to vandalism if their demands are not met.

And the fact that they kept shouting Ayra Starr because they thought I was her made it even worse. THIS HAS TO STOP.

— SaltianaExplaining the aggravating circumstances of the attack and calling for an end to such behavior.

"Imagine, this is what happens now in Lagos once you drive a nice car. These Agberos/Area Boys won’t let you go except you give them money. If you don’t give them, they might stone your car and break something. So basically, it’s by force," she stated, calling for urgent action to control the escalating problem.

Imagine, this is what happens now in Lagos once you drive a nice car. These Agberos/Area Boys won’t let you go except you give them money. If you don’t give them, they might stone your car and break something. So basically, it’s by force.

— SaltianaDescribing the modus operandi of the touts and the dangers faced by motorists.

This incident follows similar concerns raised by music producer DJ Neptune, who recounted an encounter with aggressive touts while leaving a wedding. He appealed to the Lagos State Government for swift intervention, warning that such encounters could lead to accidents. Reports indicate that extortion, harassment, and vandalism by street touts are becoming increasingly common in various parts of Lagos, with motorists often targeted after being mistaken for celebrities or affluent individuals.

This is not good. How can this be controlled because it’s getting out of hand?

— SaltianaCalling for government intervention to address the escalating issue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog