Kwara repatriates beggars allegedly keeping arms for criminals

Kwara State government has raided and taken away 158 marked beggars believed to be ‘arms depots’ for criminals in the state. They were mopped up in the last year.

The Commissioner for Social Development, Afolashade Kemi, disclosed this yesterday during the yearly ministerial briefing at the Ministry of Communication and Strategy.

According to her, most of the beggars raided were found with dangerous arms such as guns, daggers, charms and other dangerous weapons.

Kemi wondered: “What could beggars be doing with charms and guns? Our discovery is a confirmation that criminals keep their guns and other weapons with them.”

The state government also claimed to have treated and repatriated five mentally challenged residents within the year.

The repatriated beggars, mostly from Bauchi, Kano and other northern states, reportedly constituted a social menace in the state capital and environs.

She said: “We have evacuated 158 young beggars from the streets,” adding that 88 were raided the first time while another 70 were later added. “They have since been repatriated to their states.”

Kemi also hinted that five lunatics threatening the peace of the metropolis had been treated by the state government at the psychiatric home in the Olorunda area of the state.

“They have been sent back to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, where they came from,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kemi hinted that her ministry was able to register 1,612 marriages in the last year.