Lagos State Government has said efforts would be intensified to end street begging, particularly the activities of individuals who use sick children to solicit alms in the nooks and crannies of the state.

The use of these children has become a disturbing trend, with many residents describing the development as a blot on the mega city status of Lagos. Besides being a health risk, the presence of underage children going about the streets, begging, poses a security challenge. Although, there is a law prohibiting the menace, its enforcement has not been effective. Hence, criminally-minded elements continue to deploy sick babies and teenagers for the purpose.

The adult perpetrators usually come to public places with the sick. The patient is often half-clothed, in a bid to reveal the ailing body part such as the hand, stomach, leg, genitalia, etc. The modus operandi also includes placing a bowl or a bag beside or in the hand of the young one, while the accompanying adult watches from a distance.

The Guardian observed that the trend, in the last two years, has gained notoriety in the Ikotun, Ogba, Ajao-Estate, Ikeja, Lekki, Ajah, and Ojodu-Berger areas, and that no arrests have been made amid inertia by government.

It was observed that handlers of the sick children feed them on a pittance but live large on proceeds of the begging expedition. Success of the menace plays on society’s compassion for children, especially the ailing ones.

Findings also revealed that social media platforms such as Facebook aid the trend, using photos of sick children online, often without knowledge of the relatives. These are often accompanied by heart-touching stories and requests for donations, which end up getting pocketed by the scammers.

There are also cases of parents exploiting their own children who have legitimate sicknesses. Funds, however, are not channeled into medical treatment. Instead, they are used to meet needs of the parents. Regrettably, these children often die, with few questions, if any, asked about their whereabouts.

But reacting, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Youth and Social Development, Zeinab Oke-Osanyintolu, said: “There is a law in Lagos State that forbids begging in any part of the state, and I think it was about two or three weeks ago that we actually started operation, putting off beggars from the street of Lagos.

“The first operation we had was in the Lekki axis. That is: from Lekki Phase I, right down to Ajah. It is going to be an ongoing operation. We will collaborate with the Lagos State Tax Force and Divisional Police Officers of whichever area we are going, at any particular time, including the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

“Recently, we had a stakeholders’ meeting with the Arewa (northern) leaders, to inform their people to desist from begging along the roads of Lagos. It’s a work in progress,” she said.

Asked about arrests made, she said: “Once they’ve been arrested, the judiciary will take its course. There’s a jail term or fine.”

On how to ensure that those arrested don’t return to the same spot, she said: “It’s a difficult question for me to answer, but like I said, the operation is ongoing. It’s not like we’re going to start and stop. So, anybody that is caught in the same area or in a different area, and you have been caught once, then you’ll go through the process again.”

She said there is a law in the state, which stipulates that any child between the age of 0 and 12 years is treated free in any of the general hospitals, and that those who also fall within the age of 60 and above are treated free.
“One of our mandates is to ensure that vulnerable children or vulnerable adults are taken care of. So, our first line of action would be to take the children, ensure that they are taken care of. If they have family members, we will reunite them with their family members. But the person using them for begging will face the wrath of the law,” she added.

Also speaking, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “We can’t act until we are contacted by the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development. We are out to arrest criminals and prevent crimes. But no one has approached us (saying) that the children are being used to scam the public.”