7 Women Feigning Blindness Arrested For Using 22 Children For Alms Begging In Delta

BIGPENNGR reports that the women were picked up by police team after their activities was busted by Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA).

No fewer than 22 children who were being exploited by the fake blind women for their illicit trade, were also rescued.

But when the children got to Warri from various located where they were taken from, the woman allegedly handed them over to a set of women who feigned  blindness on the streets.

The children instead of being taken to school were exploited for alms begging by the supposed blind women who usually sit along Airport road by the traffic light in Uvwie Council Area of the metropolis.

It was gathered that bubble got burst for the women when one of the victims, tired of him being used for alms begging, narrated his ordeal to one Mrs. Blessing Ojebawa, a shop owner along the airport road.

Ojebawa, was said to had subsequently contacted the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) who rescued the children and arrested some of the women.

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She stated that the children were seen around moving vehicles and endangering their lives begging for alms each day.

According to her, one fateful day, one of the kids, identified as Goodness, busted the illicit trade when he came to her shop crying and complaining that he was tried of being used and requested help.

“He came to my shop one day and was crying and complaining because we usually see them around the women and we thought they are their parents. So he was complaining that he wants to go home. I now asked him why, he said they were being used for alms begging and that a woman came to their village and told their mum and Dad that she wants to take them to the city for good education and better living.

“After they got here, they started using them for begging so I assured him to keep pretending with the women that I will make arrangement to rescue them.  I then called the human right people and they came to rescue the children”, Mrs Ojebawa said.

FIDA’s chairperson in Warri, Mrs Jessica Ogechi Megbele, who confirmed the development, said that the rescue operation which took place on Saturday, February 19, was as a result of a week-long investigation that the children were recruited to beg for alms by some women who feigned handicapped (blind).

According to her, the investigation by the association had revealed that the children were brought into town under the guise of giving them comfortable life and a good education as promised their parents by the group of women who pretended to be blind.

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She said that FIDA with the help of the Nigeria police, were able to arrest seven of the women while the prime suspect is at large.

Speaking in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Mrs Megbele disclosed that the women were rounded up in a sting operation involving officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri branch as well as policemen from Ugborikoko Police Division.

She said the women have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investment Department of the state police command while the children have been handed over to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for rehabilitation and to reunite them with members of their families.

When contacted, State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Bright Edafe said he was yet to be briefed about the arrest and rescue operation.