By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Oyo State Government on Wednesday, arrested 32 suspected beggars in Ibadan metropolis for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun made this known at Akinyele resettlement centre, Ibadan, where the rested beggars were lodged.
Mrs Balogun said the suspected beggars were apprehended during a special raid by officers of the Ministry, and security agents between 2:30 p.m and 4:00 p.m ..
Stressing that the state government frowns at the menace which has become an eye sore in the society, the Commissioner noted that it is a crime to beg on the streets in Oyo State.
The Commissioner pointed out that the menace ” is not only affecting the beauty of our roads but a high risk to the beggars lives as they can be knocked down or crushed by speeding vehicles”.
Mrs Balogun said the state government is working on making the Resettlement centre at Akinyele more conducive for these set of people and that food will be provided to them while they undergo vocational training on simple but profitable crafts for their source of livelihood.
Also, 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, made this known while touring Egbeda local government
Architect Mogbonjubola described the menace as greatly traumatic,and that the governor has discovered that the infiltration and convergence of beggers within the metropolis is against the provisions and policy of Oyo State government.
He stated that street beggers, that refused 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.
