Assisting street beggars now punishable in Anambra State – Soludo

DDM News

The Anambra State Government has announced that individuals who offer food, drinks, money, or any form of alms to beggars or children in public places, especially under the Aroma Flyover in Awka, now face prosecution.

The directive was made public through a notice signed on Thursday by the Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Ossy Onuko.

According to the agency, such acts, though often motivated by compassion, have contributed to public disorder and exposed children to significant dangers.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that this development is part of a broader initiative by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to improve urban safety, hygiene, and order in the capital city.

Mr. Onuko particularly addressed content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who regularly distribute items to the needy at public locations.

He noted that these repeated distributions have encouraged vulnerable children to loiter around high-risk areas such as roads and flyovers.

He warned that while the intentions may be noble, the unintended outcome has been the defacing of the capital city and the endangerment of lives.

“These children are exposed to being hit by vehicles, abused by irresponsible adults, or even recruited into cult groups,” Onuko stated.

ACTDA has, therefore, issued a strong warning to individuals and groups to stop all forms of public almsgiving in the city.

The agency emphasized that future violations of this directive will result in legal action against defaulters.

To ensure that support for the needy continues in a safe and structured manner, the government urged well-meaning individuals to direct their charitable acts through accredited organisations.

Such organisations include registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs), orphanages, and approved care homes, which can administer help professionally and within secure environments.

ACTDA noted that acts of kindness should be carried out in places that do not pose a risk to the recipients or violate urban safety rules.

This action follows previous warnings by the agency regarding the dangers of street begging and the need to maintain public order.

Street begging, particularly by children, has been a growing concern in Anambra State, especially in Awka.

Motorists and pedestrians often encounter groups of children begging near busy junctions and commercial centres, raising safety and humanitarian concerns.

Many observers have also pointed out that this practice disrupts traffic, puts children in danger, and contributes to the deterioration of the urban environment.

Since taking office in March 2022, Governor Soludo has launched a range of initiatives aimed at modernising Awka and transforming it into a cleaner, safer, and more functional capital.

The ACTDA, which is central to these reforms, has been actively enforcing regulations to discourage street trading, promote environmental cleanliness, and ensure proper urban planning.

With this new order in place, the government hopes to see reduced street loitering, improved public conduct, and safer conditions for vulnerable children.

Officials believe that with consistent enforcement and public cooperation, the capital city can become a model for organised urban living in Nigeria.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook