Female beggar begging with babies in Lagos

By Bayonle Adegbola

The Yaba Magistrate Court 5 has sentenced a female beggar to two months imprisonment for using babies to beg on the streets of Lagos.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu, disclosed this in Lagos, while restating the ban placed on street begging and the use of babies and children for alms on the streets of Lagos.

He said the ban is still very much in force, as anyone caught contravening the law would be dealt with accordingly.

Dawodu stated that the woman was arrested at Herbert Macaulay area of Ebute-Metta for indulging in the habit of using different babies for alms taking.

Speaking further, the Commissioner reported that the case was brought before Yaba Magistrate Court 5, where she was sentenced to two months imprisonment without an option of fine.

He added that the children were to be taken to the juvenile Welfare Center for placement through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development for a period of two months.

Dawodu lamented the increasing rate of using babies and children to beg for alms in different parts of the State, saying that the act is not befitting the status of the State and would not be condoned.

In his words, “This act is not only an indication of child abuse but it is a clear violation of fundamental rights of our children as enshrined in Lagos State Child Rights Law 2015 which the State Government will continue to implement to the letter.”