Despite the ban, Almajiris (street urchins) have continued to flood major parts of Minna, as many of them have continued in the business against the odds.
Niger state government had last week, announced the ban on all forms of street begging by Almajiris and destitute, including the physically challenged and elderly persons who have continued in their businesses along major streets within Minna metropolis and environs.
Citing security concerns and nuisance, Niger state government, while reintroducing the ban on street begging, expressed preparedness to streamline the activities of Tsangaya system of education to conform with State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The State Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Nasara Dan-Malam, told journalists that the aim was to bring to the barest minimal under-aged beggars who are supposed to be in school but are compelled to beg on the streets and some strategic points, filling stations, restaurants, traffic lights, mosques, banks, and other places.
One of the kid beggars, (almajiri) who said he was brought to Niger state from Katsina state and gave his name as Rilwanu told our correspondent Monday morning that he has no knowledge about the ban on their activities whatsoever.
Rilwanu who spoke in Hausa said, “My Mallam sent us out to beg after our Quranic lesson this morning and nobody told us that there is a law stopping us and what we are doing. Begging is our only means of survival”.
“Any money we get we return to our Mallam every day during evening prayers when we retire back home”.
Parents of the almajiris are to provide for the upkeep of their wards under the Mallam undergoing training (Tsangayas) but because the parents fail in their responsibilities, the children are left with no option than to move into the streets begging for sustenance.
For 15-year-old Abubakar popularly called, ‘Abacha’, Niger state government has no powers and rights to stop child begging especially in this northern part of the country.
Abubakar said, “The state government cannot stop us from street begging because Niger state is part of northern Nigeria and almajiri system is acceptable here. Moving around and seeking for alms are part of us and not everyone can go to Tsangaya schools”.
