Many Lagos beggars are perfectly fine – Task Force Chairman

Many beggars on Lagos streets feign illness to deceive innocent persons and get alms from them, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said on Thursday.

Egbeyemi spoke while parading a 40-year-old female suspect arrested by the operatives of the State Taskforce at Oshodi, Lagos.

He urged Lagos residents to be cautious when giving alms, with many of such fake beggars trooping into Lagos daily.
“The rate at which these fake beggars operate in the state calls for concern.

“That is why the Agency is collaborating with relevant government Ministries, Agencies and Departments to get rid of these beggars on the streets and roads of Lagos.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni has directed that the suspect be immediately charged to court,” he said.

The suspect said that she bandaged her son’s leg with two rolls of white bandages and poured Gentian Violet (GV) on the leg everyday to deceive members of the public to give alms to the boy.

She said she made a lot of money in the Oshodi area of the state.

The suspect pleaded with the government not to charge her to court, saying she was ready to go back to her town and re-unite with her family voluntarily. (NAN)