By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State government has arrested 32 suspected beggars in Ibadan metropolis for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.
The commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun stated this at Akinyele resettlement centre, Ibadan, where the beggers were lodged.
She added that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a special raid carried out by officers of the Ministry, and security agents between 2:30 p.m and 4:00 p.m in the metropolis.
According to Mrs Balogun, the state government frowns at the menace which has become an eye sore in the society, stressing that it is a crime to beg on the streets in Oyo state.
She stressed that the menace is not only affecting the beauty of the roads but a high risk to the beggars lives as they can be knocked down or crushed by speeding vehicles.
The Commissioner explained that the state government is working on making the Resettlement centre at Akinyele more conducive for these set of people, adding that food will be provided to them while they undergo vocational training on simple but profitable crafts for their source of livelihood.
In a related development, the Oyo State government has vowed to permanently stamp out street begging from the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, said this while touring Egbeda Local Government, on Thursday.
During the tour, he accosted a suspected “co-ordinator of beggers” (names withheld), who specializes in conveying beggers from the Northern part of the country to the state, to desist henceforth.
The Commissioner, who described the menace as greatly traumatic, disclosed that, the governor has discovered the infiltration and convergence of beggers within the metropolis as against the provisions and policy of state government.
He vowed, that street beggers, who refuse to take advantage of the magnanimous gesture of Oyo State Governor’s accommodation, specifically built for them, at Moniya, in Akinyele Local Government, would, henceforth face relocation to their home state.
The Commissioner disclosed that, necessary conclusions have been reached, with his counterparts at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare, Mrs Balogun.
He assured, that all such inglorious vendors and consultants bringing in beggers to the state would be apprehended and prosecuted.
Mogbonjubola, reiterated the commitment of Governor Makinde led administration to champion and ensure an ideal, safe environment for all.
