Child street begging on the rise in Kogi

Residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, are becoming weary of the activities of street beggars, mostly children, as they turn out en masse to harass people while asking  for alms.

The child-beggars usually hold people by their clothes, asking for alms, claiming that they do not have parents.

North Central Trust correspondent observed that while the young beggars are busy on the streets, their parents lurk around, waiting for their wards to come back with proceeds.

Popular areas of child-beggars activities include the post office, Fen, Zenith Bank and the Federal University Lokoja junction.

A resident, Mohammed Musa, said he always tried to avoid major streets because of their activities.

He, therefore, called on the authorities to put a stop to the activities of the children, adding that they put themselves at risk of being knocked down by vehicles while struggling to beg.

Effort on the part of government

The Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, last year, embarked on the evacuation of beggars and destitute in major towns in the state to their states of origin.

However, the menace has resurfaced with a greater intensity.