The residents of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory have expressed concern over the increasing number of under-aged beggars and called on parents to check the trend.

The residents who spoke to some journalists in the area said the situation was unacceptable and described it as a gross violation of the rights of children.

Mr Charles Dike who works with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and resides in Kuje said it was inhuman for people to use children and pregnant woman to beg for alms on the streets.

In his words: "It is a sad situation to see a geometric rise of under-aged children and pregnant women loitering the streets and begging for alms. This is unacceptable in any civilised society and the government should not allow this to continue here, especially in the Federal Capital city".

He said the residents are more worried that the children were housed in unconducive environment after begging for the whole day even as newly- born babies are being exposed to harsh conditions.

Other residents who do not want his name mentioned in print expressed concern: "It is very unfortunate that these children, especially the new born babies, are used to solicit for alms from motorists and other well meaning in individuals. I was shocked when I visited a friend in a neighbourhood, I saw a very little child who just recovered from an accident as a result of street begging and he by his parents to beg for money in order to meet the family needs. This is strange and unbelievable."

Other parents use their child's ill-health to extort money from people. This is absolutely unfair and violates the rights of children and woman."

The residents also called all stakeholders in the social service delivery system to rise to the challenge and save our children from this devastating situation.

"They are our children, either biological or not, and must be catered for," a resident lamented.

LEADERSHIP further gathered that scores of children and pregnant women hang around some key areas in Kuje to beg for alms.