The younger sister of Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, Saltiana, popularly known as DJ Salt of Life, says suspected area boys damaged her car in Lagos after mistaking her for the singer.
Saltiana made the claim in a series of posts shared on her Instagram Story on Sunday, where she lamented what she described as growing harassment of motorists by street touts in the state.
According to the DJ, the incident occurred on Saturday, leaving her saddened by the damage to her vehicle.
“They damaged my car yesterday and honestly it was so sad!!!” she wrote.
She said the situation became more upsetting because the men repeatedly shouted Ayra Starr’s name, believing she was the award-winning singer.
“And the fact that they kept shouting Ayra Starr because they thought I was her made it even worse. THIS HAS TO STOP,” she said.
Expressing concern over what she described as a growing trend, Saltiana said motorists driving expensive vehicles in Lagos are often targeted by street touts demanding money.
“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.”
Calling for urgent action, she added, “This is not good. How can this be controlled because it’s getting out of hand?”
Saltiana, whose stage name is DJ Salt of Life, works as a disc jockey and backup singer.
Meanwhile, music producer and disc jockey Imohiosen Patrick, popularly known as DJ Neptune, also raised concerns over the activities of suspected area boys in Lagos.
In a post on X on Monday, he recounted an encounter with a group of hoodlums while leaving content creator Peller’s wedding on Saturday.
“A bunch of these agberos/hoodlums tried to mob me as I was leaving Peller’s wedding. It took confidence to navigate my way out. Those guys no get joy at all,” he wrote.
Calling for government intervention, DJ Neptune added, “Lagos State Government needs react real quick about these agberos or hoodlums chasing people and their cars on the street of Lagos. We’ve been dealing with beggars on the road and now this. Make person no go crash or innocently get involved in an accident.”
Both comments come amid growing concerns over the activities of suspected area boys in parts of Lagos.
The PUNCH report’s in recent months, motorists and residents have complained about alleged extortion, harassment and vandalism by street touts, particularly in areas such as Lekki, Ajah, Oshodi, Mushin and Agege.
There have also been reports of motorists having their vehicles attacked after being mistaken for celebrities or wealthy individuals.
