THE Lagos State Government has, again, restated that the ban on street begging, particularly the use of babies and children for alms on the streets of Lagos, is still in place.
Media reports state that the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu, reiterated the position of the State Government on the ban while reacting to the report of a woman arrested at Herbert Macaulay area of Ebute-Metta for indulging in the habit of using different babies for alms taking.
Speaking further, the Commissioner revealed that the case was brought before the Yaba Magistrate Court V, where she was sentenced to two months imprisonment without an option of fine, adding that the children are to be taken to the juvenile Welfare Centre for placement through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development for two months.
Dawodu lamented the increasing rate of using babies and children to beg for alms in different parts of the State, saying that the act is not befitting the status of the State and will not be condoned.
The Commissioner stated, “The ban against begging of alms is still very much in force, as anyone caught contravening the Law would be dealt with accordingly."
Alimoshotoday had reported how the state government, despite repeated attempts, had failed to end roadside begging at the Igando bus stop, in the Igando-Ikotun LCDA of Alimosho LGA.
READ MORE: IGANDO BEGGARS: AS YOU DEY HUSTLE YOUR OWN, DEM DEY HUSTLE DIA OWN!
While some of the beggars are nursing mothers, others have adolescent children whom they usually force to run after passersby to solicit alms, especially during the evening traffic when they knock on car windows to beg.
