Lagos goes tough on street beggars

Following the rejigging of its recent approach to curtail the activities of street begging and destitute citizens, the Lagos State government has said it is confident of eradicating the social menace from the state as there are responsive measures in place to achieve the feat.

Giving the state’s vote of confidence, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said with the monthly report of destitute and beggars collected in the state as compared to previous years, statistics reveal that the state has made tremendous progress.

“Consider where we were and where we are as the statistics have shown, it is evident that we are making progress. With this we are confident that in no time, as we continue our relentless efforts, the menace of street begging and destitute will be completely eradicated from our state.”

She appealed to members of the public to cooperate with the state government by giving alms to the less privileged in the society through registered charity homes and other social responsible organizations to curtail and totally eradicate the social menace.

The monthly report shows that 124 male and female destitute and street beggars in total were taken off the street last month. The breakdown is 30 destitute, 36 mentally challenged, 20 adult beggars, 28 child beggars and 10 child destitute. Already, some have been prosecuted and convicted for various offences committed as provided by section 168(1)(b) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011 (as amended).

Akinbile-Yussuf said government will continue its rescue operations on perpetrators of the social menace, noting that beyond prosecution, the government has provided rehabilitation and training centres where those rescued will be engaged in mental re-orientation and vocational exercise to help them become self-reliant and deliver the state from the menace.