The Arrest Of Beggars In Kaduna Sparks Controversy

Tensions are running high between the Kaduna State government and special interest groups over the arrests of beggars.

Among those arrested were blind, lame, deaf women and the elderly.

Some of them told the BBC that security forces arrested them on Friday, in the state capital, while begging on the streets.

“Many people have been arrested, some in Kawo, some in Unguwar Sarki, some on Kano Road,” said a beggar we spoke to.

Some of them complained about the bad condition of the place where they were kept, for there was no food and no water as the person who needed to be named explained.

“Somewhere, there are goat bones, where we urinate, mosquitoes, there is no food, and since we were arrested no one has brought us food, except those who have money who buy by themself.”

But the state government, through Hafsat Muhammad Baba, the commissioner for welfare, said the move was necessary in view of the beggars violating the rules and regulations and failing to comply with government regulations.

She also said that some communities beggars living in have complained about the students’ environmental degradation.