The Lagos state government in Nigeria has banned street begging and has formed a special team to stop the “menace”, local media report.
The team is expected to begin operations in the next few days.
A state official in charge of youth and social development told journalists that beggars on the streets were a nuisance to law-abiding citizens.
Olusegun Dawodu said beggars and hawkers, who included children, were being transported from other parts of the country to the city.
He said the “business” was demeaning and an abuse to humanity, especially the children who were being forced into it.
He added that some of the beggars and hawkers were linked to crime in the city – by assaulting and robbing city residents.
Picture: Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwool
u
