Nigeria: Kaduna Enforces Ban On Street Begging, Evacuates Beggars From Streets

By Lontong Ibrahim
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in collaboration with other agencies and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Kaduna northwest Nigeria, have commenced evacuation of street beggars for rehabilitation at the Makarfi destitute camp.
Kaduna State Commandant of the Corps, Modu Bunu, while briefing personnel of the command Friday, urged them to ensure high discipline, diligence and synergy in discharging their duties.
NSCDC Spokesman, Orndiir Terzungwe, in a statement says the Commandant alongside others were required to assist in evacuating street beggars from the metropolis to Kakuri area, from where they will be moved to the camp.
According to him, the decision to evacuate destitute from the metropolitan was taken during the states’ security council meeting held on March 7th, adding that the meeting resolved that the corps and Nigeria Police should evacuate destitute and keep them in their custody for onward transportation to the camp arranged by the state government for their feeding.
The Kaduna State government after its security council meeting announced the commencement of enforcement of subsisting restrictions on begging, street hawking and usage of motorcycles for commercial transport in Kaduna metropolis and other urban centres in the state with immediate effect.
The enforcement of the ban became necessary following credible security report in order to safeguard lives and properties.
The Kaduna State government had in June 2016 issued a ban against street hawking and begging on major streets in the state capital and surrounding local government areas.
The ban led to protest against the provision by the beggars under the umbrella body of the Joint National Association of persons with Disabilities. It further generated lots of controversies which caused a delay in the execution of the law.