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The Commandant in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri said many of the children are now used as beggars instead of being given proper parental upbringing and education.
Abdullahi, who decried the influx of small children into the state capital engaged in begging, said the ugly trend posses a great threat to the future development of the children.
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“These toddlers were normally transported from neighbouring states to come and beg in Maiduguri without considering the security implications.
“Some parents now see it as business to engage their children and wards to beg to source for their upkeep. We spoke to some of them who confirmed that they came in from Gombe and Zamfara states simply to beg.
“These children were normally seen in traffic lights, motor parks, filling station, restaurants, places of worship and shopping malls.
“Our worries are that bad elements might lure these children as shield to cause havoc. If you remember, many child suicide bombers were arrested in the past.
“These children can also be exposed to health hazards and diseases and may grow up to be lawless because they do not have good parental upbringing,” he said.
