Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has put Lekki’s car-spotting culture under fresh scrutiny after describing the practice of stopping luxury vehicles on the road as criminal and promising government action.
His comments have drawn pushback from popular car spotter @thatlekkicarguy, who argues that spotters should not be grouped with people who beg, harass motorists or commit crimes around the area.
Daddy Freeze has also joined the debate, saying Lagos should set clear rules for car spotting rather than treat everyone involved as criminals.
Lagos Governorship Candidate Says State Will Crack Down on Car Spotters Who Stop Cars
Hamzat spoke about car spotting during an interview on Nigeria Info FM after broadcaster Jimi Disu raised concerns about spotters stopping luxury cars along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The conversation comes as Hamzat, currently Lagos deputy governor, campaigns to become governor of the state in the 2027 election.
It also comes at a time when street begging and harassment around parts of Lagos have drawn more public attention, especially after recent incidents involving guests and vehicles being approached for money. That wider conversation has also put car spotting under closer scrutiny, particularly when spotters chase or stop luxury vehicles to get photos and videos.
The deputy governor said stopping vehicles on the road was criminal and that the state would act against people involved. He also said cameras along the road had helped authorities identify some people, with several arrests already made and some suspects taken to a magistrate court.
After the comments, popular car spotter @thatlekkicarguy responded through an Instagram post. He argued that car spotters are not criminals and said they do not rob people, beg car owners for money or support illegal activities around the Link Bridge.
He also said spotters try to control crowds who come to beg around the Ikoyi roundabout, especially during busy weekends, and sometimes get into confrontations while trying to move people away from the area.
Daddy Freeze Says Lagos Should Regulate Car Spotting Not Criminalize it
Daddy Freeze also disagreed with treating all car spotters as criminals, although he admitted that some spotters can take things too far.
He said he had previously spoken to popular spotters, including YL and The Lekki Car Guy, about running after cars or blocking the road while trying to get content.
Instead of a full crackdown, Daddy Freeze suggested that the government create clear rules around car spotting. He also proposed police presence at popular spotting areas and a system that allows the government to regulate and tax money made from the activity.
