At the opening of a Regional Workshop on Cross‑Border Cooperative Framework, Deputy Comptroller‑General of Immigration in charge of Command Posts, Faisal Disu, cautioned the public against handing money directly to migrant street beggars. He said that some of the children on the streets are trafficked and are being exploited by those who profit from their begging.
Disu explained that GIS had carried out an operation in the last three weeks to remove migrant street beggars, but many returned soon after. He attributed the recurrence to the financial incentives created by public donations, which make street begging lucrative for those involved.
“Most of the children you see have been trafficked. They have been trafficked from their home countries and they are here being exploited,” the Deputy Comptroller‑General said. He urged people who wish to help vulnerable persons to channel their donations through social welfare institutions and recognised orphanages rather than giving money directly to street beggars.
Disu warned that direct donations could inadvertently sustain the exploitation of children and encourage them to remain on the streets. He added that failure to address child street begging could have long‑term consequences for both the children and society. “Remember these kids that you see, if nothing is done in 10 years’ time, they won’t be asking you for money, but they’ll be grown and hardened and they may be demanding your phones, your wallets and things like this,” he said.
The Deputy Comptroller‑General called for cooperation from the public to help remove vulnerable migrant children from the streets and ensure they receive appropriate protection and support. He urged people to give alms to social welfare organisations and orphanages instead of street beggars.
