The government of Oyo state has again evacuated 95 beggars and 17 persons living with mental illness, within Ibadan metropolis.
The government has reiterated its resolve to get rid off beggars and destitutes on the streets of the state, despite perceived restrains by the affected.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola stated this while leading the state raiding team on evacuation of beggars and destitutes from Mokola Roundabout, Jemibewon road, Sango, Ojoo Roundabout, Eleyele, Challenge, and Dugbe on Wednesday.
Other areas captured in the evacuation exercise include; the popular Iwo road roundabout, Gbagi and Academy – Monatan road.
Speaking with the journalists shortly after the exercise at the Akinyele Resettlement centre, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Olayiwola said, “When I assumed office about two months ago, I visited this place as a matter of duty to see the facilities on ground, welfarism of the people and how we can improve more on what I met on ground.
“I held meetings with the stakeholders, especially the leaders of the Hausa Arewa communities and they all commended the laudable efforts of the state government ably led by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for the initiative on this matter.
“Infact most of their leaders frowned at the non-compliance of their people that had returned to the streets to continue their begging business and we assured them that we would recapture them in no time, of which we have started massively today again.
“We always received calls on the high increase of these beggars as they occupied all our major roads which is always an eye sore and we have strategised and renewed our plans to bring the mendicants who have left the provided Resettlement centre back to the facility, provided with adequate amenities which including free feeding in the morning, afternoon and night.
While expressing her displeasure over the attack of the state government raiding team by the beggars at the popular ‘Bola’ located at Jemibewon road, Alhaja Olayiwola said, government would not condone any act that would jeopardise the peace of the people of Oyo state.
“Our team was seriously attacked with stones, sharp objects and sporadic gun shots by the beggars who ran to their undergrounds exchanging with our security men. Do we call those ones too beggars or hoodlums?
“Perpetrators of evil acts are fully among them, though some may be innocent but we don’t trust anyone of them based on what we experienced today, but thank God for the security agents, they were able to overpower them and we captured most of them back”, he said.
Also contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Christiana Abioye said, “Necessary attention and more facilities have been provided for the evacuees to make it more habitable and conducive for them and I see no reason why they should not stay here just as the government has directed.
“We will not rest on our oars until we rid them off the state totally, we appeal to philanthropist to always come down to Akinyele Resettlement center to give alms to them.”
Meanwhile, some of the residents of Oyo state, Chief Bamiji Oyeyemi and Mrs. Titilayo Adedoyin expressed their joy on the evacuation exercise, as they affirmed that the beggars create all sorts of problems in the environment.
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