SUBAIR MOHAMMED, EBOSELUME OLUTOLA and BOLA BADMUS write on the ramifications of a novel alms collection strategy by beggars on Lagos streets.
IN spite of its prohibition by the Lagos State government, alms begging is attaining an alarming proportion as bowl-bearing adults and children of school age on a daily basis take positions at strategic locations and streets in the state seeking offerings from sympathetic residents.
For beggars in the state of over 22 million people, pleading for alms is a big business that is deserving of all energy and time.
The beggars have now dominated almost all major roads in the state to the point that they have now established colonies in Ebute-Metta, east of Lagos Mainland, Ikotun Roundabout, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege and other major routes as well as under popular bridges across the state.
They are fast becoming a menace and a source of insecurity to residents. They accost people sometimes subtly and at other times in an aggressive manner. The…