In it’s effort, to curtail street begging, Kano State Hisbah Board has apprehended 931 street beggers in the last two weeks.
Commander General of the board Sheikh Dr. Haruna Muhammadu Sani Ibn Sina made the disclosure while parading the begger’s to newsmen, at Hisbah headquarters Sharada Kano.
According to him, out of the total number, 320 are males while 611 are females and three tested positive to HIV/AIDS, while a large number of the under age females are pregnant.
Sheikh Ibn Sina explained that, among those arrested is an old woman found with huge amount of money.
The commander general noted that most of the begger’s were arrested on major roads, under bridges, markets, railway stations and other strategic locations within the metropolitan and local government areas.
He highlighted that, 536 females and 279 males have been reunited with their families, while 63 are still in their custody.
Sheikh Ibn Sina stressed that Kano indigenes were reunited, through Hisbah Commanders across the 44 local government areas, while those from neighbouring states were transported by the state government and handed over to their relatives.
” They are provided with three square meals everyday”
On the issue of beggers who reappear on the streets after being evacuated, The CG said those found guilty would be prosecuted as Islam prohibits begging.
He decried over rising cases of underage children engaged in drug pushing and other societal vices, as the board has arrested 132 young men and women at different recreational centers in the city.
Sheikh Ibn Sina added that, investigations revealed that some of the beggers were part of phone snatching syndicate terrorising people.
The commander general reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to curtail societal vices and street begging.
He charged parents and guardians to compliment governments efforts by inculcating good moral upbringing among their children .
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized on the need for good moral values “
Radio Nigeria reports that,Kano Hisbah Board was established in 2003, and saddled with responsibilities of enjoining right doing and totally forbidding wrongdoings, particularly with regard to societal reorientation towards peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic and religious groups resident in the metropolitan city of Kano.
KHADIJAH ALIYU