Photos: Five Nasty Habits That Must Be Stopped In Lagos

Lagos is often called no man’s land, not because there are no original owners or natives  of the land, but because sometimes everyone tends to do his or her own thing, with little regard to how it affects others.
Here are five major things that we have termed nasty deeds, which only Lagosians have the guts to do in public.
1. Defecate In Public
There are many homeless people living under the bridges in Lagos and many others live in the slums. Most of these people do not have access to proper toilets, so often they end up defecating on street corners, under bridges and any other place where they deem fit.

Defecating in public

2. Bathing In Public
Only in Lagos can you find a full grown man taking his bath in the street in broad daylight. The same reason for defecating in public can also be cited. For many who live in the face-me-I-face-you apartments (a rowdy settlement in which)

Bathing in public

3. Having Sex In Public
Like New York and many other metropolitan cities, Lagos has its libertines. Often revellers get carried away to a point where they totally forget themselves and begin to make out in public spaces.
4. Taking A Leak
True, there are certain times when one can be so pressed, but just anywhere cannot be appropriate to ease one’s self. However, many in Lagos lack the discipline to get to a proper toilet before taking a leak. The government has put agencies in place to checkmate the menace, but Lagosians can be really stubborn.

Law enforcement officers flouting sanitation laws by urinating in public in Lagos

A Lagosian urinating in public

5. Accepting Bribe
This is common with the police and other law enforcement agencies. Research has shown that most breakers of the law in Lagos tend to go scot-free by just paying a token. It is common place to see police in Lagos demand a bribe while on the road. Sadder is the fact that they try to impose their demands on innocent citizens and residents.

Law enforcement officers demanding a tip from a motorist

Lately the the police have devised a new means of getting bribes: by engaging the services of touts who will collect on their behalf. This tactics were developed because the government had began to frown on bribery and had warned that anyone caught in the act will face a severe punishment.

Undercover picture showing a traffic officer collecting a bribe from a motorist

Naij.com has highlighted these acts because we believe that Lagos as a civilised city deserves to get better treatment by its residents. It is hoped that certain wrong ideologies that have for too long marred the name of Nigeria’s most commercial city will be put away to make room for a new and transformed Lagos state. “Eko o ni baje o!”