Give alms to beggars in Lagos State, go to jail

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said giving alms to beggars on roadside is an offense punishable by two years imprisonment without an option of fine. It further stated that instead of risking jail term, the citizens of the state could give such alms to churches, mosques, registered orphanages, motherless babies homes or social welfare institutions in the state.

The Special Adviser on Youth, Sports and Social Development to the governor, Dr. Dolapo Badru, said this at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja on the performance of the ministry in social care. He said the government was determined to take beggars and the destitute off the street and provide them vocations and shelters. - Punch