16 Arrested In Anambra As Government Cracks Down On Child Begging Syndicates

16 Arrested In Anambra As Government Cracks Down On Child Begging Syndicates

The Anambra State Government has initiated a major crackdown on syndicates exploiting children for alms begging in Awka, the state capital. This operation, led by the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA), resulted in the arrest of 16 children and adults……….CONTINUE READING

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, revealed in a statement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, that the flyover bridge at Aroma Junction has long been a hotspot for child beggars, controlled by organized syndicates.

“In line with Governor Soludo’s directive to remove school-aged children from the streets, Commissioner Hon. Ify Obinabo emphasized that the goal of this raid is not to penalize the children but to target the networks exploiting them for begging,” the statement noted.

Hon. Obinabo also reiterated the state’s commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children.

ACTDA Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Ossy Onuko, welcomed the operation, affirming his agency’s support for efforts to ensure a safer and more prosperous community.

The operation faced challenges as the children initially fled and some resisted arrest. However, the enforcement team successfully detained them and transported them to designated locations.

Obinabo announced that similar operations will continue across Awka to eliminate the use of children by begging syndicates.

Post-operation, the identification process revealed that all arrested individuals were not from Anambra; many hailed from Ebonyi or Enugu states. The Women Affairs department plans to start tracing the parents of the children.

Local residents have expressed concern over the presence of these children, who, during school hours, beg for alms and frequently engage in theft.

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