Edo evacuates 50 destitute, mentally-challenged persons

The Edo State Government has evacuated over 50 destitute and mentally-challenged persons from major streets and markets in Benin City.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Barbara Osobajo, who revealed this while speaking with journalists, said the exercise was aimed at getting beggars, destitute and mentally-challenge persons out of major streets and markets within the metropolis.

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She said, “The evacuation team, comprising officials of the ministry and security, have evacuated 50 of such persons from Ihama, Boundary and Country Home roads in the GRA axis; and from Sapele and Ring roads axis, all within Benin metropolis.”

Mrs Osobajo further said the evacuated people would be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society and some would be reunited with their families.

She explained that, “The Edo State Government, in line with its ‘Operation Plan Edo’, aims to sanitise the state and reposition it for sustainable growth and development. The government has kicked off the evacuation of street beggars, mentally-challenged persons and other destitute persons within Benin metropolis.

“The persons who have been evacuated have been taken to various rehabilitation and correctional facilities within the state where they are being catered for and will be reintegrated into society after thorough care and rehabilitation.”

According to her, the operation will be extended to other parts of the state to ensure that “we achieve a safe and sane Edo.”

She, therefore, called for increased collaboration and support of all residents to end street begging and other unacceptable practices within Benin metropolis.