The proliferation of street begging in Kano State by young children popularly called “Almajiri” is becoming worrisome to some residents of the state.
The residents query the rationale behind such children roaming the street and begging for alms, which usually lead them into stealing and causing a public nuisance.
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At major roads in the state, young children, men and women position themselves at traffic junctions, begging for alms.
Though the state government has placed a ban on street begging, that has not stopped the act.
Some residents of the state who express fear that the children may grow up to become bandits or terrorists, call on the government to put up strict measures to get them off the street.
One of the children said, his parent brought him to Kano for Quranic study, but he has to beg on the street to get something to eat.
Commenting on the development, an Islamic scholar in the state, Ibrahim Musa, said street begging is unislamic and should be discouraged,
He said beyond banning street begging, the state government must ensure that the Child Rights Act and the Child Labour Law are put into effect.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
