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People now buy alms from beggars for rituals

By Maria Famakinwa

 

In the recent times, many able bodied people have resorted to begging, in order to cushion the effects of the economic hardship being experienced in the country, coupled with the fact that the two dominant religions (Christianity and Islam) stress the importance of rendering a helping hand to the poor, so as to obtain mercy in return. This resonates well with many to give alms.
The Bible clearly states that, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Likewise, Islamic faithful believe in alms giving which they do constantly.

As good as obeying this command may sound, giving alms to beggars has become an avenue for some diabolical people to inflict spiritual problems on innocent citizens who give alms out of pity.  Investigation by The Hope revealed that alms given to beggars are later bought from unsuspecting beggars at night by diabolical people who double the amount they (beggars) realise daily.
This writer, who acted on a tip-off, spoke with some beggars to get facts from them at different locations in Akure.
One of the beggars, a 70-year-old Rotimi Kasali (not real name), who said that he has been begging for alms for the past 25 years due to his leg problem, revealed that he has built a house in his State where his family resides, and added that he travels to Akure every fortnight to solicit for alms. The man, who also disclosed that one of his children was in final year in a university and another in a nursing school, said that he trained his children with the money he realised from begging and that most times he sent money to them if he could not travel to see them.
When told by this writer that people are skeptical about giving money to beggars, due to the rumour making the rounds on how beggars were selling the money given to them to diabolical people for ritual purposes he said: “Truly some people patronise beggars to buy alms given to them but I am not one of them and I don’t know the buyers.”
When asked how he was able to get the money to build his house, pay his children’s tuition fees and cater for his family needs, he said: “It is the money I got from begging and other good Samaritans.”
Another beggar, a 60 – year old Mr Orimade Kekere (not real name), who explained that he had been begging for the past 20 years, due to his physical challenge, also hinted that he has a wife and four children he cares for from the proceeds of begging.
The man, who also disclosed that he had built a house in his town where his family lives, from the money he made as a beggar, added that he shuttled between Akure and his State to earn a living.
Asked if he was aware of those buying money from beggars, he said: “ Yes. Different people come to buy money given to us as alms, but I am not part of them.  In fact, the issue is affecting our daily take home, because many people are no longer encouraged to give us alms again.”
On if the money to be given to him by the writer would not be used as an instrument to attack her, he said: “I have been soliciting for alms for the past 20 years, from which I built my house and trained my children. I cannot hurt people whom God used to bless me. Not all beggars are selling the money given to them,” he said.
The story is  not different from that of 79-year-old Fehintoye Ajagun (not real name) who also has been able to build a house, produced a graduate and provide for his family from the money he made from begging which he started 15 years ago. The old man who also affirmed that different people patronise beggars to buy money given to them by sympathisers denied being involved in such act which he described as evil.
His words, “Sincerely speaking, people buy money from beggars but I don’t know them because I have never been involved in such an act. I come from a neighbouring State to Akure to beg for alms, due to my condition and thank God I have built a house, produced a graduate and I  pay my other children’s tuition fees. I am also taking care of my family from the money I make as a beggar. So, I can’t hurt people who show me mercy. I feed with my money, I don’t sell money.”
Also, another 80-year old beggar, Mrs Ajike Oluponle (not real name), revealed that she started begging for alms three years ago to cater for herself, because her children were wretched. The old woman, who said that she lives in Ifedore Local Government Area of the State but comes to Akure daily to solicit for alms also disclosed that some beggars were selling their money at night to those who paid them double of whatever amount they had but that she was not part of them. She said: “I am only here to look for my daily bread. Though, some beggars are selling money  given to them, I  am not one of them.”
A food seller who has been listening to the writer’s conversation with the old woman, cut in and said: “Most of the beggars are involved in the act of selling the money given to them by sympathisers but it is normal that they deny. At night, people park exotic cars hideously at a designated location to approach the beggars by doubling any amount of money given to them. For instance, if they collect N5000 from beggars, they will give them N10,000 in return.
“That explains why more people now see alms begging as a lucrative business. Beggars build houses and live comfortably with their families. Those who buy the money from them prefer lower denominations like N5, N10, N20, and N50. The reason for this, I don’t know,” she said.
When asked the reason some people were buying money from beggars and its implications on ordinary citizens who gave alms to them out of mercy, she said: “I don’t know why they are buying money from beggars, but obviously it is to harm people who willingly give alms to beggars. Come to think of it, why would I want to exchange N5000 for N10,000 without ulterior motives ?That is why one must be very careful because many are facing financial difficulty without knowing the reasons,” she warned.

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