Lagos State commences removal of mad people from streets

Lagos State government has commenced the removal of destitute, mentally ill or mad people from the streets. Pictures trending on social media captured moments when workers were raiding the ill people into vans.

You will recall that in August, the government announced the setting up of a special team saddled with the duty of raiding on daily basis the nooks and crannies of the state of street beggars, miscreants and street hawkers.

Adding that anyone caught using children to beg risked being jailed for 10 years under the Child’s Right Act.

While speaking in a press conference in August, the State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Segun Dawodu,  said the exercise, which would commence in a few days’ time, would be executed in conjunction with the Nigeria Police.

The commissioner said the action became imperative, as according to him, the affected people constituted considerable nuisance to law-abiding citizens who were entitled to go about their businesses without any fear or hindrance.

In addition,  he noted that some of those begging were not looking for alms, but were armed to rob motorists and residents.

Lagos State Commences Removal of Destitute, Mentally Ill People From Streets. pic.twitter.com/yScEg9UvBP

— GoldMyne (@GoldmyneTV) September 14, 2021

Meanwhile, Dawodu disclosed that a total of 728 beggars, destitute and hawkers were arrested between January and July 2021, of which adult males were 345; adult females, 241 while children were 142.

“Beggars on our streets and roads constitute a considerable nuisance to law-abiding citizens who are entitled to go about their businesses without any fear or hindrance. This is what the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu promised to address upon assumption of office. This is what it is delivering; this is what it will continue to deliver.

“Lagos State, with a population of over 20 million people, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Lagos State has representatives of all the ethnic groups in the nation with thousands coming into Lagos daily in search of a better life. The results of this influx of people are among others, pressure on infrastructure and societal ills.

“The road to our desired destination of ‘A Greater Lagos’ has, among another man-made obstacle – ‘street begging.’ This is the whole essence of today’s briefing. It is to acquaint everyone, especially the Fourth Estate of the Realm, with the concerted efforts that the Lagos State government has made, through the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, which is saddled with the responsibility of tackling this issue,” he said.