Kwara state government evacuates 88 mentally challenged, beggars from streets

The Kwara State Government has evacuated 88 mentally challenged, beggars from streets of Ilorin and transported to the Ministry for Social Development rehabilitation homes for treatment and possible repatriation.

Penpushing reports that Commissioner for Social Development, Opeyemi Afolashade, made this known to journalists explaining that the evacuation, which was held between 24 and 30 November, was between Post Office/Taiwo-Isale, Tipper garage, Challenge/Unity Road and Challenge/GRA axis.

The Commissioner however, described begging and roaming on the streets by people with mental challenges as condemnable and socially appalling, emphasizing that the evacuation was part of the ministry’s responsibilities

‘The evacuation is part of the ministry’s responsibilities and a means to further ensure that the society was cleansed from any form of menace, thereby promoting environmental hygiene and values for the state’, she said.

‘The menace of persistent street begging regarded as a viable business venture among some people, despite series of dialogue, media sensitisation, and numerous social interventions of the government to the physically challenged and vulnerable in the state is worrisome’, added.

Penpsushing further reports that she declared that Kwara state would not condone street begging as it was against the law of the state; and depicted laziness, while the roaming of mentally challenged persons also posed serious danger to the society.

The Commissioner reiterated that the exercise would be continuous, adding that the ministry would no longer take the menace with levity, warning all those involved to desist or be ready to face the wrath of law.

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