Lagos raids 2,217 non-indigene beggars

In spite of the efforts of the Lagos State
Government to end street begging in Lagos,
more beggars troop into the state daily.
Beggars protesting
Last year, the state government faced fierce
public outrage over what was termed
‘deportation ‘ of some Igbo indigenes to
Onitsha, Anambra State.
Last Thursday, the state government
continued its effort to rid the state of beggars.
It picked up 2, 217 non-indigene beggars and
destitutes from the streets and of this number,
458 were released to their relations, who are
resident in Lagos.
The Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde
Fashola on Youth & Social Development, Dr.
Enitan Badru disclosed that the measure “is a
continuous exercise.”
He said the aim was to rid the Lagos streets
of beggars, destitutes and mentally challenged
persons.
According to him, “The state government has
handed over 458 persons to their relatives; 28
were handed over to the Child Protection Unit
for further social investigation; 27 rescued
from different locations in the state were
transferred to the correctional centre and 53
are currently undergoing rehabilitation and
training at the Rehabilitation and Vocational
Training Centre.”
Badru said about 2,217 beggars and
destitutes were rescued from the streets of
Lagos “to rid the metropolis of their menace.
In realization of state government’s policy on
ridding the streets of Lagos of beggars and
destitutes, who constitute social nuisance and
realization of Lagos as a mega city.
“The Ministry of Sports and Youth
Development embarked on aggressive rescue
of beggars, mentally challenged and destitutes
from the streets of Lagos and over –head
bridges,” the special adviser said.
He said 1,412 of the destitutes and beggars
were taken to the rehabilitation and training
centre Owutu, Ikorodu where the government
made provisions for facilities to help in turning
their lives around.
The special adviser said 87 able –bodied
persons suspected to be criminals were
handed over to the taskforce for prosecution.