Street beggars in Kano State have made an emotional appeal to the organizers of the ongoing nationwide protests, urging them to put an end to the demonstrations in the interest of humanity.
The protests, which have led to widespread disruptions, have left many of these vulnerable individuals struggling to survive.
Baba Haliru, a 70-year-old beggar from Rigiyar Zaki, shared his plight with newsmen describing how the protests have made daily survival increasingly difficult.
Haliru explained that many beggars depend on the alms they receive daily to feed their families, but the unrest has significantly reduced their chances of getting help.
“We have not eaten anything in our household of 14 for two days in the last four days except water,” Haliru lamented. “For God’s sake, please reach out to those who organized the protests to end them by negotiating with the government.”
Haliru’s sentiments were echoed by other beggars in Kano, who are facing similar hardships. Malama Mario Kabiru, from the Hotoro quarters, expressed her frustration, stating that her family has run out of foodstuffs and they lack the funds to buy more due to the ongoing curfew.
“We don’t have money, and the situation is unbearable,” Kabiru said.
Malam Isa Musa of Dorayi quarters also appealed to the government to introduce support measures for elderly individuals who have no other means of survival. “We are begging because we have no one to support us. Since the curfew was introduced, we have not eaten anything in the last three days with our families,” Musa said. “We can’t continue like this; kindly let the protests stop.”
The pleas from Kano’s beggars highlight the severe impact of the ongoing protests on the most vulnerable in society, as they continue to struggle with the disruption of their already fragile means of livelihood.
