Lagos State government yeaterday said begging with a child will henceforth attract 10 years jail term in the State.
The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Segun Dawodu, stated this, during a press briefing yesterday.
He said a special team will raid the nooks and crannies of the state daily for street beggars, miscreants, and street hawkers. He said the task would be executed in conjunction with the Nigeria Police.
Dawodu accused some of the beggars of armed robbery, saying they only use begging as camouflage.
The commissioner revealed that 728 beggars, destitute, and hawkers were arrested between January and July 2021 of which adult males were 345; adult females were 241, while children were 142.
He said as a responsible and responsive government, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration will not fold his arms and watch the State become a haven for beggars, adding that it will take action to curb the menace.
“Beggars on our streets and roads constitute a considerable nuisance to law-abiding citizens, who are entitled to go about their businesses without any fear or hindrance. This is what the administration of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu promised Lagosians upon assumption of office. This is what it is delivering; this is what it will continue to deliver”, Dawodu said.
