Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Opeyemi Afolashade, said the ministry evacuated 88 mentally challenged persons and beggars from the streets of Ilorin.

The commissioner told journalists on Thursday in Ilorin that the exercise was after the general evacuation carried out by the ministry within the state capital.

She said the evacuation, held between November 24 and 30, was between Post Office/Taiwo-Isale, Tipper garage, Challenge/Unity road and Challenge/GRA axis.

Mrs Afolashade said the evacuated persons were taken to one of the ministry’s rehabilitation homes for treatment, prosecution and possible repatriation.

She, however, described begging and roaming on the streets by people with mental challenges as condemnable and socially appalling.

“The evacuation is part of the ministry’s responsibilities and a means to further ensure that society was cleansed from any form of menace, thereby promoting environmental hygiene and values for the state.

”The menace of persistent street begging regarded as a viable business venture among some people, despite series of dialogue, media sensitisation, and numerous social interventions of the government to the physically challenged and vulnerable in the state is worrisome,” Mrs Afolashade said.

She explained further that Kwara would not condone street begging as it was against the law of the state; depicted laziness, while the roaming of mentally challenged persons also posed serious danger to society.

She reiterated that the exercise would be continuous, adding that the ministry would no longer take the menace with levity, warning all those involved in the act to desist or be ready to face the wrath of law.

(NAN)