Kaduna Beggars Defy Government Orders, Return To Streets - Pictured

Beggars, on Monday, returned to the streets of Kaduna, in defiance of a ban against street begging issued by the state government last Tuesday.

The state government issued a ban against street hawking and begging on major streets in the state capital and surrounding local government areas, after a bomb blast that killed 35 people and injured many in Sabon Gari local government secretariat in Zaria.

In response to the governor’s order, the beggars on Saturday staged a protest at the National Union of Journalist secretariat in Kaduna challenging the state government over the ban. The beggars also threatened legal action against the government for alleged defamation of character and violation of their right to life.

Their leader, Abdullahi Jugunu, said, “Apart from feeling insulted, we will be seeking legal redress against the government, first for defamation of character.”

A visit to major road junctions in the state on Monday showed none compliance with the order as beggars, hawkers and even Okada riders was spotted carrying out their activities in full control.