Some Beggars Are Used As Criminal Informants —Kano Hisba

Kano State Hisba board says some of the 805 suspected beggars the state government united with their families are used as spies for criminal minds in the state.

The Commander of the Board, Dr Haruna Ibn-Sina, told reporters on Friday at the command's headquarters in Sharada, Kano that among the 805 beggars , 536 were females and 279 males, all indigenes of Kano.

He said that they  were amongst the 931 suspected beggars evacuated by the men of the Hisbah Board for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in Kano Metropolis.

Ibn-Sina said that those who were from neighbouring states were assisted to their various state governments and handed over to their relatives while others were receiving care from the board.

According to him, out of the 931 evacuated, 320 are males while 611 are females.

He said  that three out of them  tested positive to HIV/AIDS while some of the underage females were pregnant.

“Among those evacuated was an old woman who was found with a huge amount of money.

“Most of the beggars were evacuated on major roads, under bridge markets, railway stations and other public places within the metropolis.

“They were provided with their daily three square meals.

“The beggars who, however, go back to the streets begging after being evacuated will be prosecuted; as the state government prohibits begging,” he said.

Ibn-Sina alleged that some of the beggars were among those who were alleged to be  snatching  phones, syndicate and terrorising people.

He said that there was a high case of underage children engaging in social vices and using drugs, adding that, so far, the board had arrested about 132 of such suspected miscreants at various recreational centres in Kano.

“The state government has shown its readiness to curtail societal vices and street begging,” he said.

He urged parents and guardians to complement the government’s efforts by giving their children and wards proper moral upbringing.