Alhaji Bademasi Saleh, chairman of Hausa Community and Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that most migrant destitute, posing as beggars are behind some robbery incidents and other criminal activities in Edo State.
The government official made the allegation during a Radio programme on Thursday morning in Benin City where he lamented that beggars do not tarnish the Islamic religion, they also tarnish the culture and reputation of the adherents in the State.
Saleh stated that Hausa and Arewa leaders as well as religious leaders in the State have declared their support to sanitize and eradicate the menace in collaboration with Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“If Edo State comes up to sanitize the State, we are 100 percent in support of it”, with the support of traditional rulers in the State, Saleh said plans are ongoing by the Government to formally contact four Governors whose indigenes constitute the bulk of the migrant destitute for rehabilitation.
According to him, “Those beggars tarnish our religion, they tarnish the culture and tarnish our image.
“If Edo State comes up to sanitize the State, we are 100 percent in support of it.
“We have started doing something.
“It’s four States their children are coming to beg in Edo State.
“The Edo State Ministry of women Affairs, he said, “They (robbers) are even robbing”.
“They have moved from stealing to robbery and we are making effort to reach out to State Governors whose indigenes are involved.
“We are going to write to the women Affairs, traditional rulers.
“We will do it in such a way that opposition party will not hijack the process and use it as a campaign stunt by members of opposition party. That is telling other Governors of the States those beggars came from, during elections”, Saleh said.
