Residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, have expressed worry over the increasing influx of  beggars from the northern part of the country into the city.

They also condemned the attitude of the beggars whom they claim flock around churches, motor parks and other public places in Owerri. The beggars are mainly between the ages of six to 14 years old, and they are often accompanied by their mothers who hang around while the minors hustle for alms.

A school teacher in Owerri, Mr Simon Nwachukwu in an interview with a newspaper, lamented the harassment suffered by residents and visitors in the hands of the beggars.

He said that although Owerri, just like every other city has sizable number of beggars, he warned that the sudden upsurge in the number of beggars calls for concern.

“Given the security situation in the country, it is not out of place to raise alarm over the influx of Hausa into Owerri, we want the security agents to take note of this and safeguard the lives and property of Owerri residents,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Imo state Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, has assured that the beggars would not constitute any security threat.