The Government of Borno State has announced a ban on street begging and loitering in Maiduguri city and environs in its efforts to improve the security situation in the state.
This is contained in a public notice issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prof. Usman Tar, on Sunday in Maiduguri.
Tar said street begging and aimless loitering were not part of the culture of Borno people.
‘In Borno State, street begging and aimless loitering are not in our character. We are dignified people.
‘This is to inform members of the public that the Borno State Government has placed a strict ban on all street begging, loitering and gallivanting within and around Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere LGAs,’ he said.
Read Also: Terrorists No Longer Controlling Any Borno Community – Zulum
The notice said the ban was with immediate effect, warning that violators would be prosecuted.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that Governor Zulum had a few weeks ago declared that no community in the state is under the ‘control and occupation’ of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
Zulum made the declaration while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on an operational visit, at the Government House, Maiduguri.
On the liberated communities, he said: ‘I am pleased to inform the general public that, as of now, we do not have any community in the state under the control of Boko Haram.
‘In 18 months, about 140,000 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have laid down arms and surrendered to the military under Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) in the North East.’
The governor also used that opportunity to praise security organisations for their respective sacrifices in reestablishing calm throughout the entire region afflicted by terrorism, not only in Borno.