Street beggars in Kano are urging the organizers of the ongoing nationwide protests against bad governance to call off the demonstrations, citing severe hardship and hunger.
Baba Haliru, a 70-year-old beggar from Rigiyar Zaki, highlighted the dire situation, explaining that many beggars rely on daily alms to feed their families. However, the protests have disrupted this lifeline, making survival increasingly difficult.
“For the past four days, our household of 14 has only had water to sustain us for two of those days,” Haliru said. “In the interest of humanity, I appeal to the protest organizers to negotiate with the government and end the demonstrations.”
Other beggars echoed Haliru’s concerns, calling for an immediate cessation of the protests and the lifting of the curfew.
Mario Kabiru, a beggar from Hotoro Quarters, shared his struggles: “We’ve run out of food, and we can’t even go out to buy more. We have no money, and the situation is unbearable.”
Isa Musa of Dorayi Quarters also made a heartfelt plea to the government to implement support measures for elderly individuals without any means of livelihood.
“We’re begging because we have no one to help us,” Musa said. “Since the curfew started, my family and I haven’t eaten for three days. We can’t continue like this; the protests must stop.”
