Unacceptable: Nollywood Actress Sarah Martins Alleged Assault While Serving the Homeless

Nollywood star Sarah Martins has ignited a public outcry after detailing a horrific experience where she was allegedly assaulted by uniformed officers while performing a selfless act of community service. The actress, known for her roles in the Nigerian film industry, took to her Instagram page to share the painful account of an attack that occurred while she was preparing and distributing free meals to vulnerable and homeless individuals in Lagos.
According to the account shared by Martins, the incident unfolded as officers, believed to be members of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force, confronted her during her regular charitable outreach. Instead of commendation, the officers allegedly responded with harassment and bullying, severely disrupting the charitable exercise.
Martins described the confrontation in an emotional post, stating, “My heart aches… My only offense was serving love on a plate through my healthy meals.”

The level of alleged abuse extended beyond verbal harassment. The actress reported that the uniformed men seized her cooking equipment, including her cooking gas, and confiscated the very food supplies she had prepared for the destitute.
To underscore the severity of the attack, the Nollywood star shared a video displaying her injured hand, expressing profound pain and disbelief over what she characterized as an unprovoked attack against a humanitarian mission.
Martins clarified that her work is not commercial—she is “not a chef,” and does not “cook for a living.” Her outreach is purely driven by a desire to support people in need and promote goodwill in the community, a fact that makes the alleged assault all the more shocking.

This incident has shifted the focus from the actress’s charity work to the urgent need for accountability and transparency from law enforcement. The core question remains: how can officers, tasked with maintaining order, allegedly obstruct and assault a private citizen performing a voluntary, charitable act?
Sarah Martins is now calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is served. Her ordeal is a powerful, painful reminder of the challenges faced by those trying to effect positive change and the necessity of good governance and strict fiscal discipline regarding the actions and operations of public task forces.
The actress’s experience is not just a personal story; it highlights the critical conversation Nigeria must have about the role of law enforcement in facilitating, rather than hindering, community outreach and humanitarian work.