The Kwara State Government on Thursday evacuated at least 46 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 Ilorin metropolis.
The beggars were evacuated in the exercise from the G.R.A. axis to Babatunde Idiagbon Flyover, Tanke; Offa Garage; Garin Alimi; Odoota; and some parts of Baba Ode-Dangote area – all in Ilorin.
They were later taken to a facility belonging to the state’s Ministry of Social Development for correction and onward reparation, while their children are kept at the Children Reception Centre for immediate care and protection.
The Commissioner who expressed dissatisfaction with the nuisance being created by some individuals taking begging as 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 deface, 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.
The Commissioner added that “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)”.
Opeyemi stressed that the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration places priority on social enlivening to the people at the lower par of the economy 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.