Kwara State Relocates 158 Street Beggars to Their Home States
Over the past year, the Kwara State Government has removed 158 street beggars from Ilorin and returned them to their home states. This action was announced by Mrs. Afolashade Opeyemi, the State Commissioner for Social Development, during a press briefing organized by the Ministry of Communications in Ilorin, the state capital.
Mrs. Opeyemi reported that the majority of these beggars were from Bauchi, Kano, and other northern states, and had become a social issue in Ilorin and nearby areas.
“We have relocated 158 street beggars. Initially, we removed 88, followed by another 70. They have all been sent back to their respective states,” Opeyemi stated.
The Commissioner also revealed that various weapons, including guns, daggers, charms, and other dangerous items, were found among the beggars. She expressed concern over why beggars would possess such items, noting that “Our findings confirm that some criminals hide their weapons with these beggars.”
Additionally, the state government has treated and relocated five mentally ill individuals during the past year. These individuals, who had been causing disturbances in the metropolis, were treated at the psychiatric home in the Olorunda area and subsequently repatriated to Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states after being certified mentally stable.
Mrs. Opeyemi highlighted that these actions are part of the government’s efforts to maintain public order and safety in the state.
