Some of the arrested street beggers in Kano.
The Kano State Government says it has arrested 500 beggars for allegedly violating the law that bans street begging in the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, made the disclosure while repatriating the beggars in Kano on Friday.
Dr. Muhammad-Umar said that the beggars were arrested in Kano metropolis with 70 per cent being women and out of school children, and 30 per cent men.
According to her, the decision to arrest the street beggars is to safeguard their future and make Kano and Nigeria a better place for all.
Dr. Muhammad-Umar, who explained that a 70-year-old woman was also arrested with cigarette and matches found in her possession, pointed out that such woman could spoil children’s behaviour and the society at large.
“We noticed that bad behaviour is mostly found within the beggars. We will continue to arrest them to ensure sanity and rid the streets of all forms of crimes,” she said.
The commissioner said the ministry would soon begin the evacuation of street hawkers, especially young girls hawking on the streets.
She urged the people of the state, especially women, to take care of their children to be good citizens.
“As long as I remain the commissioner, I will make sure Kano is free from street begging,” she said.
She further revealed that the ministry would also go to Islamic schools and repatriate the Almajiris to their homes and neighbouring states, especially those who go out to beg for food.
“The government has since met with Tsangaya teachers not to let their students roam on the street in other to address the lingering problems of begging,” she said.
She, however, commended Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje for supporting the ministry to empower the beggars in the State. (NAN).