Beggars protest their removal from Lagos streets

Beggars on Monday embarked on a peaceful demonstration at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa over the order asking them to stay out of the streets in the metropolis.

Jubril Hassan, the president of the physically challenged said the government was wrong to have chased them out of the streets, depriving them of their social rights and denying them of their freedom to movement.

According to Mr Hassan, “We adopted this medium to express our displeasure and unhappiness with the actions taken and the one to be taken by the Lagos State Government.

“Our movement within Lagos metropolis has been restricted such that anyone caught roaming the street is taken to Majidun Rehabilitation Center.

“The condition of the camp is appalling and devastating; it causes more harm to our health. It has come to our notice that very soon anybody found giving us alms will be apprehended and imprisoned for two years.”

He said that this policy will just increase their suffering instead of reducing it. He also called on the government to rescind the decision of not allowing their access to freedom on the street.

Mr Hassan also mentioned that over 600 beggars have been maltreated and arrested. He urged the government to listen to their plight and come to their aid.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Panox, who received the beggars on behalf of Governor Babatunde Fashola, assured them that the government will listen to their depends.