Kwara State government yesterday evacuated beggars from strategic locations in Ilorin, the state capital.
The state commissioner for social development, Hon Afolashade Opeyemi, led the team that carried out the exercise across the Ilorin metropolis.
A total of 46 beggars were evacuated from the Government Reserved Area (GRA) axis to Babatunde Idiagbon Flyover, Tanke, Offa Garage, Garin Alimi, Odoota and some parts of Baba Ode-Dangote area – all in Ilorin.
The beggars were taken to a facility of the Ministry of Social Development for correction and onward reparation, while their children were taken to Children Reception Centre for immediate care and protection.
The commissioner, who expressed dissatisfaction with the nuisance being created by some individuals taking begging as a daily lucrative venture, described the act as sabotage and a disservice to the government’s efforts at making the state habitable and a gleam of attraction.
“The activities of road side beggars over time have not only been causing the state huge social and environmental defacement but also pose threats to the security of lives of residents.
“Some of this set of people cannot overtly be regarded as innocent and vulnerable as many unscrupulous individuals among them often hide under the disguise of road side begging to perpetrate evils”, Opeyemi added.
“It is yet a dismay to us today now, with the zealous efforts of our team, that some daggers, knives and charms were recovered from these people (beggars)”, the commissioner stated.
Opeyemi stressed that the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration places priority on the welfare of the people at the lower ladder of the society in the state, through numerous social interventions to the vulnerable, the disabled and the less privileged, adding that the governor is ever ready to do more.
