The Kwara government on Wednesday commenced the evacuation of street beggars from the Ilorin metropolis.

Speaking at one of the locations of the exercise, Kemi Afolashade, Kwara Commissioner for Social Development, said the areas affected are Tipper Garage, Tanke, Offa Garage, Geri-Alimi and Challenge in Ilorin.

She said these were areas where the street beggars were domiciled, adding that the exercise was one of the core mandates of her ministry.

Ms Afolashade said the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq prohibits street begging, and therefore, beggars are prohibited from staying in those areas.

During the exercise, the commissioner rescued a mentally challenged woman sleeping under the bridge.

The commissioner, who provided food and other needs to the mentally challenged woman, also offered to rehabilitate and empower her with a vocation of her choice.

(NAN)