By DANIEL ATORI, Minna

As part of efforts to sanitise and safeguard the state from becoming a dumping ground, the Niger State Government has given a two-week ultimatum to beggars to leave the state or risk being arrested.

This is as the government on Monday said, a task force to ensure strict compliance of ban on street begging is to be constituted.

While speaking to selected journalists, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Muhammad Sani idris explained that the task force when constituted would ensure total eradication of street begging through out the state.

He stressed the need for those contemplating and harping on begging to have a rethink as any one caught will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterent to others.

“The state government has already given two weeks grace to beggars in the state after the official announcement of ban on street begging at the end of state Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

“The ban is to sanitise and safeguard the state from becoming a dumping ground for beggers and to guarantee total security of lives and properties of people,” he said.

He further stated that: “The Niger State government is not against the Almajiri system but opposed to all forms of begging at which ever guise.” (New Telegraph)