Kwara Government Steps Up Efforts Against Street Begging

Kwara State Government has once again intensified efforts in ridding Ilorin, the state capital of environmental and social defacement

The Commissioner for Social Development, Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, stated this during another evacuation exercise carried out in the Ilorin metropolis.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Rehabilitation, Mr Taiye Ikupolati, said the exercise was an anticipatory means to tackle the threat that people hiding under the pretext of begging and mentally challenged, could pose to residents and the society.

During the exercise, harmful objects such as knives, a dagger and a plier were recovered from one of those evacuated, hiding under the camouflage of being a plumber at the trado-psychiatric.

The culprit was reported to the Ministry and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Afolashade further noted that the exercise was aimed towards creating a safe and clean environment for the benefit of all and sundry in Ilorin and its environs.

She also warned that anyone caught in the heinous act will face the wrath of the law as there is a law banning any act of street begging.

The evacuation exercise was carried out around the Post Office Roundabout and Afon axis, of Asa Local Government Area of the State, where one beggar was apprehended, while three mentally challenged persons were evacuated to the Ministry’s trado-psychiatric home for proper treatment.