The Kwara State Government has once again intensified its efforts to eliminate environmental and social defacement in Ilorin, the state capital.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, made this known during a recent evacuation exercise conducted in the Ilorin metropolis.
Represented by the Director of Rehabilitation, Mr Taiye Ikupolati, the Commissioner explained that the exercise was a proactive measure to address potential threats posed by individuals posing as beggars and those who are mentally challenged to residents and the wider society.
During the exercise, harmful objects such as knives, a dagger and a plier were recovered from one of those evacuated, hiding under the camouflage of being a plumber at the trado-psychiatric.
The culprit was reported to the Ministry and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Afolashade further noted that the exercise was aimed towards creating a safe and clean environment for the benefit of all and sundry in Ilorin and its environs.
She also warned that anyone caught in the heinous act will face the wrath of the law as there is a law banning any act of street begging.
The evacuation exercise was carried out around the Post Office Roundabout and Afon axis, of Asa Local Government Area of the State, where one beggar was apprehended, while three mentally challenged persons were evacuated to the Ministry’s trado-psychiatric home for proper treatment.