146 beggars majorly from Abia and Ekiti state have been arrested by the Kano State Hisbah Board for allegedly contravening the state’s law on street begging and roaming about at odd hours in Kano metropolis.
This was revealed to newsmen by the Acting Director-General of the board, Dr. Aliyu Musa in Kano.
Musa disclosed that 114 adults and 52 children were arrested at different raids across the city.
He said that the arrests were carried out between 12.00 midnight and 4.00 am at various locations including Bata Bridge, Kanti Kwari market, Railway station, Wambai Market among others.
“Out of the 146 beggars, 77 are from Kano while 69 are from Abia, Adamawa, Borno, Ekiti, Jigawa, Gombe, Zamfara, Niger Republic, among others.
Among those arrested, some are street urchins, street beggars and three women are mentally challenged.
“The board will properly screen them, counsel and thereafter release those who are first-time offenders while those who have been caught more than two times will be charged to court,” Musa said.
He pleaded with the beggars to use their hands for productive ventures in order to make their lives better.
The Director-General also advised parents to watch over their wards, take good care of them and desist from street begging noting that the practise could endanger their lives.