Economic hardships push Kaduna residents into creative forms of begging, highlighting the severity of the current crisis.
Faced with ongoing hunger, increasing living costs, and frequent power outages in Kaduna, residents have turned to collective begging as a means of survival.
According to Peoplesmind, the state has experienced a complete power outage in recent days, causing small businesses like barbershops and food grinding services to shut down.
Many business operators were unable to afford petrol due to the increase in fuel pump prices.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that the blackout impacting areas in Northern Nigeria will continue, owing to security issues preventing repairs on essential transmission lines.
TCN also revealed that although efforts are being made to restore electricity through alternative methods, the issue will not be completely resolved in the near future.
After waiting in vain for power to be restored across the state, some residents have been forced to turn to begging just to survive.
Mr. Joseph Musa, who sells ice water, expressed that it is more honorable to beg than to steal.
He maintained that there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
I reach out to others for assistance with anything that helps me get by. While I can tolerate hunger, my children cannot; they start crying as soon as they feel hungry.
Additionally, Mrs. Rose Benjamin mentioned that she always dresses in corporate attire and stands at a bus stop to beg. She noted, “I ensure I dress well to earn the admiration of people when I’m heading to the office.”
“Whenever private car owners see me, they often stop to offer me a free ride. During the journey, I subtly seek their assistance because my husband has nothing.”
Additionally, Joel Adegbe mentioned that he usually reaches out to people he knows for assistance and some residents have been helpful.
“Occasionally, I get lucky when people give me money, food items, and other gifts,” he said.
Peoplesmind
