Four arrested in Lagos for allegedly injecting child beggars

The Lagos State Police Command has charged four people with allegedly injecting two children with substances to cause their stomachs to swell in order for them to beg for alms.

The suspects were arrested last week in Lagos State’s Kirikiri area.

When one of the victims reported the syndicate to the Ojudu Police Division, the ruse was discovered.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, previously stated that the suspects paraded the children in traffic as critically ill in order to solicit alms from motorists.

A few days after, the suspects – Uchenna Eze (who is the manager), Onyedikachukwu Isiala, Ikechukwu Kingsley, and Smart Alasuomu – appeared before Justice Sikiru Adagun of the Apapa Magistrate Court.

They are charged with four counts bordering on conspiracy, placing and encouraging underage children in public places to beg for alms, deprivation of personal liberty and exploiting underage children.

All the alleged offences are punishable under the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015

The four suspects were arrested in connection with the abuse of children 11 and 13 years through engaging them in alms begging from passers-by across Lagos.