The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 96 beggars in May for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state capital.
Malam Dahiru Muhammed, , an official of the board’s Anti-begging Unit, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Thursday that 27 out of the 96 beggars were children, while 69 were adult.
“Our men arrested 96 street beggars around Lodge Road, Magwan Junction, Kwari, Katsina Road and Wapa for violating the law banning street begging in Kano metropolis.
“Out of the 96 beggars, 69 were adult male and female, while 27 were children between the ages of 10, 13 and 14,” Muhammed said.
He explained that 71 of those arrested were from Kano city, while 22 were from Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states, with three from Chad Republic.
Muhammed said that those who were first offenders were released, while others from the neighbouring states were repatriated to their various local government areas of origin.
He also revealed plans by the board to train the beggars on skills acquisition to keep them off the streets permanently. (NAN)