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The Anambra State Government says it has launched an operation against syndicates using children to beg for alms in Awka, the capital city.
The Ministry of Women affairs and the Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA) carried out the operation on Tuesday evening, arresting about 30 child beggars, as well as adults.
Southeastposts.com, gathered that the flyover bridge at Aroma junction has for long become a den of child beggars who are used by syndicates to beg for alms.
Residents of the area told newsmen that it is not only that the children constitute an eyesore as they run around during school hours begging for alms, but have also constituted themselves into nuisance as they always steal from people.
The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo said: “We are arresting these children, not to make them victims, but to use them to get at the syndicates that brought them here for begging.
“You and I know that Anambra has a low number of out-of-school-children, and we will not stand and let these children remain in the streets while being used by syndicates.
Meanwhile, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Mr Ossy Onuko said the operation was planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs as a way to take children off the streets.
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