The police in Anambra State have arrested six people for allegedly using sick persons to beg for money from the public.
The arrest happened on April 16, 2025, at about 6:30pm, after a joint team of police officers and vigilante operatives raided an uncompleted building at Isu Village in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement that the suspects were caught with four sick people who seemed to be suffering from brain tumours, breast cancer, and other serious illnesses.
“The suspects hired these sick persons to beg for alms,” Ikenga said.
He listed the names of the suspects as Doris Basil (28), Peter Ezedike (38), Susan Monday (27), Ogechi Okoro (27), Solomon Sunday (29), and Kenneth Achi (29).
The police also recovered ₦82,400 in small denominations—₦50, ₦100, and ₦200 notes—as well as six mobile phones.
Ikenga added, “The sick persons were rescued and given first aid. They are now receiving better medical attention and plans are being made to return them to their families.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed concern over the “moral decay” in society, saying it is wrong to take advantage of sick people for personal gain.
He also said that the act could be punished under Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, which deals with obtaining property by false pretence and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.
The commissioner also ordered the police to question the families of the sick persons to find out if they were part of the crime.
“All the suspects will be taken to court once investigations are complete,” the statement said.
