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  • Growing menace of street begging on federal capital streets

    Growing menace of street begging on federal capital streets

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is renowned for its status as the political and administrative heart of Nigeria. But, beneath the city’s glossy exterior lies a growing, less glamorous phenomenon of street and corporate begging. The unsettling potential security implications of the proliferation of beggars have prompted calls on the authorities and law enforcement agencies to curb the menace and reclaim the streets. NICHOLAS KALU and JULIANA AGBO, write.

    In the last decade, the number of beggars in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has soared, turning what was once a marginal issue into a prominent social concern. While exact figures are unavailable, local non-governmental organisations estimate that the population of street beggars has surged by over 50 per cent in the past five years, becoming a stark and unsettling reality in the heart of Nigeria’s capital.

    The most heart-wrenching victims of this phenomenon are children. Some, as young as five, are forced to navigate the dangerous streets, pleading for help to support their families. These young ones can be seen weaving through congested traffic, their small hands outstretched, eyes wide with hope. For them, education is not a priority but a distant dream, eclipsed by the urgent need to survive.

    Alongside these children are women, often with infants strapped to their backs, and the elderly, who sit by the roadside with expressions that tell stories of profound desperation and neglect. In most cases, they are people with disabilities.

    Apart from people with disabilities who engage in the act of begging, another trend in the FCT is corporate begging. Unlike traditional street beggars, corporate beggars are individuals who, under the guise of seeking employment or business partnerships, resort to begging for financial aid from business executives, public officials and even strangers.

    Dressed in business attire and armed with sophisticated narratives, they blur the lines between genuine need and manipulative solicitation. Their methods are subtle yet strategic. They often approach their targets with a mix of humility and urgency, citing business failures, unpaid bills, or the need for seed capital for a seemingly promising venture. Some even carry documents and business cards to lend credibility to their claims.

    Currently, the trend of begging has extended to market places, religious environment, corporate organisation’s environment, major bus stops, parks and gardens even in public transports. In Abuja, they are seen almost everywhere from the Berger Roundabout to Wuse Market, Federal Secretariat, Area 1, Nyanya, Lugbe, Kubwa, Maitama, Banex Plaza and AYA Roundabout among other area councils in the FCT.

    Each face is a testament to a deeper, systemic socio-economic crisis that extends beyond mere inconvenience.

    Ineffectiveness of policies

    Despite multiple efforts by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to curb street begging, including a ban on the practice, the issue persists.

    In October 2021, the FCTA repatriated 217 beggars and destitute individuals to their home states, including Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi.

    Again, in April 2022, another 150 were removed from the streets for disrupting the peace and order of the city.

    Yet, these measures seem insufficient against the backdrop of rapidly rising numbers. The causes of this increase are rooted in a complex interplay of factors, including economic instability, displacement due to insurgency in the Northeast, and a weakening social safety net.

    Personal stories of struggle and survival

    Each beggar in the FCT has a story that speaks of hardship and resilience. For instance, Aishat Abdullahi fled from Borno State with her three children after her husband was killed by Boko Haram insurgents. With no family to support her and limited job opportunities, she now walks the car parks of Kado fish market, hoping for the kindness of strangers to help her sustain her family.

    Similarly, Isah Yahaya, a teenager from Kano, came to Abuja seeking a better life after his family was displaced from Zamfara due to insecurity and hunger. Yahaya, who hawks kola nuts while begging, uses the little he earns to send money to his family through Point of Sale (POS) agents, as he doesn’t have a bank account.

    These stories are far from unique. Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have made their way to the capital, only to find themselves in a similar plight, struggling to survive in a city that offers little reprieve from their suffering.

    Factors driving increase of street beggars

    Experts have identified a combination of factors contributing to the rapid increase in street begging. Gloria Joseph, an expert in social issues, explained that as the cost of living rises and job opportunities diminish, people are left with few choices other than to beg on the streets. “For many, it has become a last resort,” she noted.

    Human rights activist Gideon Obulu highlighted the impact of economic hardships on people’s daily lives. He stated: “Street begging has become a way of life for many simply to survive.” He shared personal experiences from the marketplace, where individuals approach shoppers, not asking for money but for basic food items like garri, rice, salt, or seasonings to feed their families.

    However, these experts are also concerned about the potential security implications of the situation. They warn that the growing desperation could lead to more serious problems, with the possibility of street beggars resorting to violence or other criminal activities in order to survive.

     A growing security menace

    While the practice is often seen as a harmless act of desperation, it has evolved into a significant security concern, particularly at night in the nation’s capital.

    In most cases, they have now become a threat to the safety and security of residents and their property. It appears the allure of easy money has also attracted individuals with criminal intent, transforming the practice into a lucrative venture.

    In some areas in the country’s capital, one of the most alarming developments is the increasing aggression exhibited by some of the street beggars. Residents have complained of harassment and this behaviour, often fueled by desperation or a sense of entitlement, contributes to a climate of fear and anxiety among residents.

    The nighttime hours have become particularly dangerous. Beggars, operating under the cover of darkness, have been known to target unsuspecting individuals and vehicles. They have been involved in incidents of robbery, assault, and even attempted kidnapping.

    Read Also: CBN reassures stability of banking system

    The vulnerability of individuals walking alone or driving late at night makes them prime targets for these criminal activities. The security implications of street begging extend beyond individual safety. The presence of large numbers of beggars on the streets can create a sense of lawlessness and disorder. This can deter potential investors and tourists, negatively impacting the city’s economic development.

    Social observers believe the concentration of beggars in certain areas contributes to the proliferation of other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and prostitution in the city.

    “The truth is that most of them, especially the younger ones, get involved with drugs and may acquire weapons with which they attack residents. As I speak with you, in so many areas in Abuja today you cannot slow down for a traffic light in the evening. You would most likely be attacked and the bulk of these criminals are these beggars who want to do more than just beg,” Dangiwa Musa, a resident in Kubwa, an Abuja suburb, said.

    There’s also a growing concern that the beggars may pose a significant terrorist threat. The increasing number of beggars, often unchecked and unverified, creates a vulnerability that can be exploited by terrorist organisations, security experts fear.

    Recent global events have shown that terrorists often disguise themselves as vulnerable individuals, including beggars, to carry out devastating attacks such as suicide bombings. The tactic, known as “human camouflage,” allows terrorists to blend in and gather intelligence before striking.

    In Abuja, the proliferation of beggars, experts believe, may serve as a Trojan horse for terrorists seeking to test the city’s security waters. These individuals, often seemingly harmless, can gather intelligence on high-value targets, identify security vulnerabilities and conduct reconnaissance for potential attack sites.

    The risk is heightened by the fact that many beggars are unknown persons, with unclear backgrounds and motivations. This anonymity provides an attractive cover for terrorists seeking to infiltrate and launch attacks.

    Security experts warn that the presence of beggars in strategic locations, such as high-traffic areas like markets, bus stops, stations, government institutions and public gathering may indicate a reconnaissance phase, precursor to a more significant threat.

    The proliferation of beggars may also serve as a test run for larger attacks, they posit. According to them, by studying the public’s response to the presence of beggars, terrorists can gauge the level of security and vigilance in different areas. This information can then be used to plan more sophisticated attacks, they said.

    To mitigate this risk, they advise that authorities must implement robust screening and verification processes for beggars, enhance intelligence gathering and sharing among security agencies, increase surveillance in high-risk areas, conduct regular sweeps and patrols to deter suspicious activity and collaborate with local communities to report suspicious behaviour.

    They also advise that authorities could regulate begging activities by, for instance, establishing designated areas for beggars and increasing surveillance in areas with high concentrations of beggars. Additionally, they advise that the public should be encouraged to report suspicious activities to the authorities.

    A security source, who did not want to be named, said law enforcement agencies are taking a proactive stance against street begging, especially as it pertains to the safety of the populace.

    “While it is important to treat beggars with compassion and understanding, those who engage in criminal behaviour must face the consequences of their actions. This includes the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in robbery, assault, and other violent crimes. While we expect the social agencies saddled with the responsibility of catering for such situations to do their jobs, we would not stand idly by and watch anyone perpetuate crime. Anyone who engages in any criminal activity, no matter who it is, must face the law accordingly. The security agencies are on high alert to ensure the safety and security of citizens from any quarter,” he said.

    Curbing the menace

    The phenomenon of street begging in the FCT has evolved into a serious security threat. The increasing aggression and criminal activities exhibited by some beggars pose a significant risk to the safety and well-being of residents.

    Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of poverty, strengthens law enforcement efforts, raises public awareness, and promotes sustainable solutions. By taking decisive action, the FCT can reclaim its streets and create a safer environment for all its citizens.

    An Abuja resident, Gideon Assam, offers his thoughts on how the issue can be addressed. According to him, people, except in extremely rare cases, do not desire a life of begging or criminality. He said many are pushed into it especially due to the prevailing economic situation of the environment.

    “Addressing the issue of street begging requires a comprehensive approach. First and foremost, there is a need to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment. This involves creating job opportunities, improving access to education, and providing social safety nets for vulnerable individuals.

    “There is a need to raise awareness about the dangers associated with street begging. Public service announcements and educational campaigns can help to inform residents about the risks and encourage them to take precautions.

    “Also, the government and civil society organisations should work together to develop sustainable solutions to the problem of street begging. This may involve establishing rehabilitation centers, providing vocational training, and promoting alternative livelihoods,” he said.

    Efforts to reach the Director of Social Welfare Services Department of the FCTA over the matter, as at the time of going to the press, didn’t yield result.

  • I use my physically challenged child for begging, says dad

    A 50-year-old man, Abubakar Gahu, has told the police that he uses his 13-year-old crippled son for begging.

    Gahu, Sani Ishaku, 40, Abdullahi Mohammed, 45, Nasiru Yusman, 27, Mato Abdullahi, 20, and Sagiru Ibrahim, 26, were arrested by some Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives for allegedly importing physically challenged minors from the north to beg in Lagos.

    Gahu appealed to the government not to send his son to a foster home because the lad is the family breadwinner.

    He said: “I use my 13-year-old child who is a cripple to beg for money. He is the one sustaining us as we use the proceeds from begging to maintain my family of five. I was selling Suya but our shop at Abattoir, Agage, was destroyed by the government. I now started using my crippled child to fend for my family. We make an average of N4,500 daily.”

    Parading the suspects yesterday, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said street begging was a crime in the state, adding that using children for such was double offence.

    The suspects, he said, were apprehended by a decoy team after a mobile Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera was positioned around Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Ikeja.

    It was gathered that the undercover detectives monitored the syndicate’s activities for about a week before their eventual arrest.

    Edgal said five of the victims aged 13 to 17 were rescued, adding that N12,000 was recovered from the syndicate.

    He said the police observed the syndicate conveying the children to a place very early in the morning, following which they were made to crawl from one point to the other on the highway begging for alms, which the suspects collected.

    He said besides the guides monitoring and collecting the proceeds, there was another man who came to collect the money from the guides.

    The children, he said, would be handed over to the Gender Unit of the state command for rehabilitation.

    Ishaku, said to be the syndicate’s leader, told reporters that hunger drove him into the trade.

    He said: “I am looking for food to eat and since the children are handicapped, I thought to bring them to Lagos so that they can beg for alms. I brought them from Jigawa State.”

  • We are tired of begging –Beggars cry out

    Kabiru, a beggar in Ajegunle in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos recently dumped begging for noodles vending. He had been a beggar for decades, relying on handouts from passersby in the densely populated Ajegunle ghetto, for survival. But he always wished he could quit. The grant of cartons of noodles from YEGI Foundation therefore came timely. Although he hardly sells up to a carton in a day, he says he is okay with it.

    Founded by youthful Abel Usim, YEGI means Youth Empowerment and Growth Initiative; it is a non government organisation aimed at empowering youth and turning beggars into employers. Kabiru was empowered under the organisation’s ‘Beggar to Boss’project.

    “It is better than begging. It has actually been challenging because I sell in the open and sales can be really poor some days. But I believe things will change for the better once I get a kiosk.

    Since quitting begging, Kabiru, who has been crippled by polio from childhood, said people have become nicer to him. He believes they now see him in new light. But feeding has been a challenge due to the poor sales. Sometimes when it is raining, he finds it hard to escape the rain due to his mobility challenge.

    Speaking to The Nation, the head of the visually impaired people in the area ‘Yakubu, otherwise known as the Seriki said he is happy that his people are willing to stop begging and start a business. The Seriki who claims to have been in Lagos for more than 50 years said he feels bad and unhappy seeing his people begging, especially when people throw insults at them before helping them or when people just look away instead of helping.

    “The major reason we beg is because we don’t have money, food or even clothes to wear. Most of us had to leave our villages to the cities in other not to die of starvation.

    “We want the children we are giving birth to now to be educated and get a job, so that they can support us. That is why some of us are sending our children to public schools, using the little money we make to buy books and other writing materials.”

    He therefore called on the government to empower them so that they can stop begging.

    The Seriki also hinted that he would like his people to go back to their various states when they are empowered so that they can be with their families again.

    Shaibu, son to one of the beggars, told this reporter that he has finished his secondary education and is hoping to further his education. He however said he needs a job to achieve this, become accomplished and be able to assist his people.

    “Since I came to Lagos I have never joined them in begging; even they take care of me with the proceeds. I don’t like begging at all, even Seriki doesn’t beg. He sits here every day waiting for people to come and collect prayers from him. Even governors come to Seriki for prayers.

    “I prefer to have a tricycle that I can use as commercial transport so that I can support myself and my family.”

    One of the beggars who is visually impaired said he never wanted to be a beggar, but was left with no choice.

    “Anybody you see begging does it because he doesn’t have a choice. If we decide not to beg, what will we eat?”He asked.

    He said he would like to have a shop where he can trade, assisted by his grown up son, whom he pointed to within the vicinity.

     

    Our mission is to turn beggars

    to employers -Abel Usim

    Speaking to The Nation about his inspiration, founder of YEGI, Abel Usim said he started project Beggar to Boss in October last year to empower beggars to become bosses. “We give them training in different skills and then give them start-up materials,” he said.

    “We started with building relationship with them, trying to know their different challenges- whether blind, deaf, physically challenged etc.

    “We met one of the beggars named Kabiru who became physically challenged as a result of the Polio disease. He told us that he didn’t like begging, so we asked him what he would like to do if he wasn’t begging and he said business. So we bought him a carton of noodles to selling while we solicit for money to build him a kiosk.

    “Last weekend, we had a meeting which we call Special Session with the beggars. We got an interpreter, because most of the beggars are Hausas. We told them our plans, our vision and what they stand to benefit. This got them happy and expectant.”

    After taking their data, Usim said they made enquiries about the kind of business they would like to go into. This was followed by a free medical checkup, and a seminar to teach them the importance of eating fruits. This they tagged ‘the fruits fun fair.’

    Usim continued: “We are excited that these beggars are willing to leave begging and become entrepreneurs, so we are doing everything to change their mentality and welcome them into the world of entrepreneurs.”

    To do this, Usim said his foundation needed to first build a relationship with the beggars and earn their trust completely. “That way, when we have all the start up materials to distribute, they will willingly embrace it and leave begging.”

    He said the Christmas party YEGI held for their children last December was part of the trust-building process. “The king of the Hausa people in Ajeromi Local Government, Alhaji Saki is so happy with what we are doing and he has been making our job very easy. He is a retired naval officer and understands that going into business is better than begging.

    “He has been involved from the beginning, and helps us summon them when we need to see them. Sometimes, he goes out of his way to help us interpret.”

    Usim said Youth Empowerment and Growth Initiative is a non government organisation that primarily focuses on helping youths discover their purpose. They visit schools and give talks to the students. The Beggar to Boss idea came about on October 25, 2017, two days after YEGI held its shared experience programmes

    “I was taking a walk down a route and noticed a beggar sweeping the spot where he plied his ‘trade;’ and as I walked by, I heard a voice say ‘you can empower this beggar;’ and that was how it started.

    “I turned back, walked up to the beggar and exchanged pleasantries with him; I then asked for his name which he gave as Saliu. I told him I like what he was doing (begging) but apart from begging, what else would he like to do? He said he would like to go into fashion designing; so I took his pictures and the environment and went away. I sent the pictures to YEGI WhatsApp group and shared my experience. I told them we could begin to empower beggars, so they can start adding value to the society and become employers of labour. Thereafter, we had a four-hour face-to-face meeting and drafted a plan on how to go about it; which is what we are doing now.”

  • Two women arrested for begging with babies

    Two women arrested for begging with babies

    Two women were yesterday arrested in Oyingbo, Lagos, for using babies to beg for alms.

    Three babies who are less than one month old were recovered from them.

    Hadiza Nosiru and Salamotu Salitu were arrested by the monitoring team of Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    They have been taken to the Rehabilitation and Training Centre at Majidun, new Ikorodu.

    The ministry said preliminary investigation showed that the women were not the biological mothers of the babies. The babies the ministry said, were given out to the women by their parents, who are paid daily.

    One of the babies mothers, who was paraded at the state secretariat on Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday gave her name as Tawa Aregbesola from Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital. She said she had an agreement with one of the suspects to take her baby for alms begging between 5pm and 7pm daily for between N1000 and N1500.

    Aregbesola, a mother of four, said she did not know where her baby is usually taken to adding that she was oblivious of the consequences.

    Youth and Social Development Commissioner Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said efforts would be intensified to stop street begging.

    She expressed displeasure at the use of babies for begging, exposing them to hazards on the streets.

    Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf urged the public to help the government in eradicating the menace.

    The commissioner noted that the practice was prevalent among female beggars especially from the north. She promised to take legal steps to deter others who may also wasn’t to indulge in the proactive.

  • Begging: Lagos rehabilitates mum, kids

    Begging: Lagos rehabilitates mum, kids

    The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has rehabilitated a 44-year-old woman simply identified as Esther and her three children found begging near the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) at Ikeja.

    Esther was said to have been abandoned by relatives and friends, following an illness which left her with a protruding stomach. She took to begging for survival.

    The woman and her children have been moved to the Lagos State Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in Majidun, Ikorodu.

    Our correspondent gathered that the woman is from Ijaw in Delta State, and stays around Agbado Railway Crossing in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The leader of the rescue team, Mr Kessington Fatai, said the operation was in line with the campaign against street begging.

    The Nation learnt that the ministry has since contacted Esther’s family. A meeting will be held this week on how to reunite them.

    The ministry’s Director of Rehabilitation Centres, Mr Joseph Olufemi Olatoye said: “We have contacted her family members, and the Commissioner, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, would have a meeting with them this week.

    “The three children are supposed to be in school, but they would instead sit with their mother to beg for alms from passersby. Meanwhile, the Child Protection Unit of the ministry has placed the children according to their ages in the Children Centre at Majidun, Ikorodu,” Fatai said.

  • Lagos, street begging and public security

    Armed with a Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) prescription paper, 56 year old Kehinde Olatubosun, a drug addict and an indigene of Oyo State, recently confessed to making about N300, 000 monthly from unsuspecting Lagos residents through begging. Begging is an age long activity prominent in urban centers where it is common to see the physically challenged, visually impaired, deaf and even supposedly stranded visitors (famously referred to as corporate beggars) throng walkways, street corners, religious centers etc begging for alms.

    Due to the influx of people from different parts of the country in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece, Lagos, like cities such as Kaduna, Kano, Johannesburg, South Africa, Shanghai and others, has to contend with various socio-economic challenges peculiar to cities with exponential growth and metropolitan composition.   Lagos, no doubt, has a high number of assorted street beggars. While some of them are genuinely in need, others, like the aforementioned Mr. Olatubosun, have turned begging into a business enterprise. In the years gone by, there was a case of a Lagos beggar who made a fortune by deceitfully collecting  money from unsuspecting Lagosians and used the proceeds to build a house on which he boldly inscribed: ‘Eko go’ (Lagosians are gullible).

    Studies have revealed that people resort to begging for reasons ranging from poverty, to health challenges. Today, people take to begging for sundry reasons which include substituting begging for hard work, allegiance to tradition as in the case of parents of twins who still hide under the cloak of tradition to beg for alms.  To drug addicts such as Mr. Olatubosun, it is a means of gratifying appetite for hard drugs. In other cases, some people are exploited and forced to beg while someone else collects the proceeds. This, indeed, is the multifaceted face of modern day begging. Aside constituting environmental nuisance and health hazards to the public as some beggars have one infectious disease or the other, beggars sometimes complicate traffic situation in Lagos.

    Lately, street begging has been identified as a means of defrauding as well as a source of insecurity in the State.  Compared to highbrow areas like Ikoyi and Victoria Island where residents would rather prefer to alert the police rather than give alms to beggars, people living in densely populated suburbs of the metropolis are typically friendlier to beggars. In fact, there is a particular Street on the mainland mostly inhabited by visually impaired beggars. It is also not uncommon to notice groups of people in branded T-shirts, soliciting for alms in major bus stops and markets, to treat patients with various health challenges by displaying the latter’s pictures. It has been revealed that oftentimes, the monies collected are not usually utilized for the purpose for which they were collected.

    Opinions about the suitability or otherwise of begging differ. While others view it as part of religious obligations of reaching out to the less privileged, others are of the views that such alms should be taken to appropriate institutions such as the destitute homes and motherless babies homes. In fact, a critical observation of religious concept of alms giving reveals that no religion encourages street begging. Although the two most popular religions, Christianity and Islam, promote giving to the less privileged in the society, but resorting to begging as a way of life is sharply frowned at by the tenets of the two religions.

     However, while it is not inappropriate to give alms to beggars, their activities have, however, suggested otherwise as people now hide under the pretext of begging to dispossess members of the public of their valuables, either on the road or in their residences. A report had it that a beggar that was given alms during the day led his group of armed robbers to attack his benefactor at night. Also, some beggars are accomplices to various forms of crimes.

    Perhaps, taking a cue from the Kaduna State Government which recently banned street begging in the State, the Lagos State Government has concluded plan to enforce section 166 sub-section 1(b) of the criminal code which prohibits street begging with adequate penalty for defaulters. This, according to the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, becomes necessary in the interest of public security. He said: “We’ve had security reports on the activities of persons who pose as beggars, especially in traffic, but their sole aim is to perpetrate evil. We are putting a search light on this trend and one way to do that is to ensure that we take preemptive measures to forestall this development.” To this end, he said efforts will be made to rid the state of street beggars and the homeless. Towards achieving this, the State Taskforce on Environmental and Traffic Offences has been mandated to arrest any beggar found on the highways, bus stops and street corners while transferring same to the State Rehabilitation Centers.

     In the same vein, the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development recently issued a statement to Lagos residents, imploring them to cooperate with the government in its mission to rid the streets of Lagos of the menace of beggars and destitute by desisting from giving them alms but take such gifts, monetary or materially to religious organisations or orphanages.

    On a final note, while it is true that these are, indeed, tough times for most of our compatriots, emphasis must, nevertheless, still be placed on the dignity of labour. In a financial and commercial hub like Lagos, there will always be something for everyone to do in order to earn a decent living. Street begging is not good for our image as a people. It must be condemned and discouraged by all and sundry.

    • Bakare is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • ‘I make over N300,000 monthly from begging’

    ‘I make over N300,000 monthly from begging’

    •Suspected drug addict deported from Germany in 2004

    A suspected drug addict cum beggar has said he makes over N300,000 monthly from begging.

    Kehinde Olatunbosun, who was deported from Germany in 2004 over drug matters, said he made over N10, 000 daily begging at Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Roundabout, beside Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Toyin Street and Opebi, all in Ikeja.

    Olatubosun was among the suspected 13 drug addicts and three peddlers arrested on Friday night at Ipodo in Ikeja, by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives.

    The RRS decoy team also arrested a three-man gang phone thief.

    The suspects were nabbed at a drug joint in Ipodo when the operatives traced a stolen phone to the place.

    Olatunbosun was working as an electrical engineer in Bauhusa, Cologne, Germany before his deportation. He spent 12 years in Germany.

    The 56-year-old Ibadan Oyo State indigene said he begged under the preference of seeking succour for an ailing relative in LASUTH.

    He said: “Every day, I make over N10, 000 daily doing corporate begging. All days of the week, am always in Mobolaji Bank Anthony Roundabout, Toyin Street Roundabout and Opebi. At times, I collaborate with beggars. Whatever we make, we share but I get a larger share.

    “What I do is that, I get LASUTH drug prescription papers. I get it from their waste bin. I convince motorists, passengers and passersby that I have a relative who is in dire need of money to buy drugs and I show them the prescription papers.

    “This is what I have been doing since I was deported from Germany in 2004. I was in possession of drug when I was arrested in Germany, so they deported me. I have four children. Two are in Germany with my wife. One is in Texas in the United States and another in Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately, all the money I make from this begging goes into drugs. Day after day, I am always there, seven days a week. I make more money on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I make more than N10, 000 on weekends.

    “As I talk to you, I am not on drug but I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms, that is, the effect of not taking drugs for sometimes.

    “I was in Ipodo drug joint in Ikeja when I was arrested. I was on drug when I was picked up yesterday. I have never been arrested for any offence before. I am praying that RRS releases me. I promise I won’t go back to drug again. Where I live presently was given to me by my in-law.”

    Another suspected addict, who was also arrested at the joint, Dada Ajayi, 48, said drug has destroyed his life.

    Attributing his sorry condition to drug addiction, he said for more than 17 years, he was hooked to drug.

    He said: “I am trying to get over it now; drug has been the cause of my stagnation in life. I frequent that joint because I have nowhere to go. I have lived the better part of my life consuming drugs.

    “As I talk to you, the remains of my wife are in Ikeja mortuary. She was taken to LASUTH. I was asked to bring N150,000 for surgery but I didn’t have N50,000 on me then. She died in the process. Right now, I have lost my family because of my drug addiction. I don’t know where to start my life again. I can’t stop going to that drug joint because it is the only place where I get consolation. It is the only place I am at peace with myself.

    “If anybody wants to help us, they should arrest the drug barons or dealers. Arresting us won’t solve drug problem because without the sellers there won’t be the takers. You arrest the dealers, I mean the merchants, then you have cut the supply and thus saved us from getting drugs. Without out that, we would always find our ways there whenever we are released.”

  • Physically challenged persons urged to shun begging

    Physically challenged persons urged to shun begging

    The Social Development Secretariat (SDS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on physically challenged people to avoid street begging, stressing its hazardous effect on their lives.

    Executive Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, in commemoration of the 2014 Day of Physically Challenged Persons, explained that the secretariat embarked on the gesture to discourage the physically challenged from engaging on street begging.

    Onuh, while noting that it is the obligation of the social development secretariat to carter for the people with disabilities, explained that even if they engage in begging for a whole year, the proceeds from such begging business, cannot buy them a bag of rice or a good clothing material.

    “You can attest to the fact that some of your friends have lost their lives as a result of carelessness of drivers who are ran over by such drivers. So, I encourage you not to engage in street begging because it is not good for you and the FCT administration is totally against it,” she advised.

    On the need to equip them with skills, Onuh encouraged them to always make good use of the opportunities provided by the Social Development Secretariat, to acquire necessary skills and knowledge that will make their lives meaningful.

    “The form to enroll in the skill acquisition center is free of charge. Just few months ago, some people were graduated from one of our skill acquisition center located in Bwari area council, and each of them was given N100, 000 to start life,” She said.

    She, however, solicited the contribution and support of well meaning Nigerians, both government and private, who have the resources to join hands in a philanthropic outreach, to reach out to the needy with food items, clothing and other cash donations.

    On advisory note, Mrs. Grace Adogo warned them to desist from street begging, as the social development secretariat will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the street begging.

    Adogo, urged the physically challenged persons to remain in their various homes and camps, thereby promising them that the officials of social development secretariat would be visiting them periodically with all that they need to make life better for them.

    In his response, one of the leader of the association of the physically challenged in Abuja, Suleiman Ahmed, expressed his gratitude to the secretariat for remembering them with food and clothing materials, ahead of Christmas celebration.

    While promising the cooperation of the physically challenged persons to leave the streets, he stressed the need for the resuscitation of the facilities used by the blind.

    Some items, which include bags of rice, beans, salt, corn, millet, red and groundnut oil, as well as clothing materials were distributed to the physically challenged persons in the spirit of the Christmas celebration.

     

  • Begging is un-Islamic, says scholar

    The Mudir Markaz, Agege, Lagos, Sheikh Habeebulahi Adam Al-Ilory, has said that begging is un-Islamic and should be avoided.

    He said this during the Tafsir programme in Agege.

    While acknowledging that able-bodied people have taken to begging owing to poverty, Adam said Islam’s position on begging is unambiguous.

    He identified Zakat as a means of reducing poverty, urging wealthy Muslims not to jettison the third pillar of Islam (Zakat). Islam, he said, preaches welfarism, adding that adherents of the religion need to imbibe the spirit of giving to the needy without necessarily demanding for it.

    He cautioned Muslims to pay the correct Zakat, saying they should not short-change Allah.

    He urged those saddled with the responsibility of coordinating Zakat to do so equitably bearing in mind that they are going to be rewarded accordingly.

    “Zakat is playing a prominent role in the circulation of wealth within the society. Governments at various levels need be socially-responsible by giving consideration to masses’ welfare so that the ravaging poverty be reduced to the minimum in no distant time,” he said.  He prayed for Allah’s guidance on those in political leaders.

  • I’m not begging for roles, says Pa Kasumu

    I’m not begging for roles, says Pa Kasumu

    When the news broke recently that popular Yoruba actor, Kayode Odumosu, alias Pa Kasumu, had picked up some movie roles, not a few of his fans, particularly those who have been following his story with interest, received it with a grain of salt.

    The rumour mongers also went to town with the reports that the celebrated comic actor, who was in the news recently following the low-key wedding of his 37-year-old son, Olatunde Odumosu, had been begging movie producers to feature him in their works in order to enable him meet his mounting needs.

    However, when The Nation sought his reaction to the news of his hitting movie sets, he said though he had been approached by three movie producers, he had not gone to any location.

    The actor, who now lives in a three-bed room apartment in Bode Olude, Elega area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, said: “It is true that I have been approached by two or three movie producers, including Tunji Bamisigbin and a woman. Bamisigbin and I met in Abeokuta, where he told me about his forthcoming TV drama; so, we exchanged telephone numbers. He happened to have a meeting with the Governor on the same day I was invited to the Governor’s office for a different purpose.  After my meeting with the Governor, he gave me N1million (in cash). That was in addition to the N2m he had earlier given me, which I used to buy this land (a half plot of land), which the owner had left only at the foundation level-I have personally developed it to this level, where it is now habitable. There is also another woman who has approached me for a role in her work, though I don’t remember her name now.

    “I wish you could come here to see things for yourself. You need to visit me, so you can see my state of health and my living condition. If I am not well taken care of, you will know when you come. You see, I have always warned journalists who derive pleasure in writing damaging stories about people to stop the habit. If they don’t, they will someday pay dearly for it. So, my brother, I will advise you to always verify your reports. They may think it is a joke.”

    Obviously, the doubts expressed by some of his fans bothered on his ill health. Therefore, when asked if he could with withstand the accompanying strain, stress and rigour of acting again, Pa Kasumu, who has been laid-up with both liver and heart-related problems for about five years, said he could act without any danger to his health. “Nothing is wrong with me as I speak with you. At least, you saw me at the wedding of my son recently and you could see that I played my role as the father of the groom very well. The producers and I have discussed the modality of my appearance. They have scheduled my roles in such a way that it won’t be too stressful for me. At the moment, I will say the problem area lies in my voice, which is not stable. Sometimes, it is loud and clear, while it is low and almost inaudible in some instance. Apart from this, my defective sight has not been totally corrected, medically. But I am not blind, contrary to the rumours. I will be going to India for a major surgery at the end of this month, if I am able to raise the money.”

    He, however, declined to comment on the medical bill needed to undergo the surgery in India. According to him, “I know the name of the hospital and the amount needed already. But I won’t disclose it, so the public will not see me as a beggar. You see, I am not a lazy person and I am not a beggar either.  After this ailment developed in 2009, I had personally spent over N6million in search of a lasting cure, which I had planned to spend on another project. I had wanted to use the money to complete my house in Ogijo, until the ailment developed. I have always prayed to have a house in Abeokuta, Ogun State, but I didn’t know how God would do it.”

    As he is now ready to go back to what he loves to do best, acting, the question on the lips of many is:  will he still command a high price, since he may be at the mercy of film producers?  He didn’t mince words pooh-poohing this line of reasoning, adding that acting had become business for all practitioners. “Why won’t I be able to charge for any role I’m picking up? I am not cheap and I am not begging anyone for roles. My children are taking good care of me and my loved ones have not abandoned me. Acting is business now. The practice of I-help-you-you-help-me, especially in the Yoruba movie industry, doesn’t work anymore.”