Kano Govt Arrests 200 Street Beggars, Almajiris

The Kano State Government says it has arrested 200 street beggars and almajiris for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, made this known to newsmen on Monday, NAN reports.

According to her, the ministry arrested the beggars and almajiris in Kano metropolis with 60 per cent being women, children and men, and 30 per cent almajiris.

“Some of those arrested sleep under bridge while some on the streets.

“Most of the beggars and almajiris are from Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe, among others while only few are from Kano.

“It is very dangerous to leave them on the streets without knowing their parents. Also, bad behavior is mostly found among them.

“We will continue to arrest them to ensure sanity and rid the streets of all forms of crimes,” she said.

She explained that those arrested from other states would be repatriated to their states on March 16, and would be handed over to their parents.

The commissioner said the state would render some assistance so that the almajiris could go back to school.

She however called for legislation on prosecution of street beggars.