Lagos State Government has rescued 531 beggars, destitute and mentally-challenged persons from the streets, to eradicate any act of begging in the state.
The state government also rehabilitated 12 drug-dependent individuals rescued from the streets, to a position of functional ability.
This was contained in a publication made available by the state government on the activities of the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The rescue was between October, 2015 and January, this year.
According to the statement, the state government through ministry “rescued off the street a total number of 531 beggars, destitute and mentally challenged individuals in the state.
“A total of 54 children were reunited with their families within and outside the country. Also, 148 cases of Child Abuses were reported and investigated and are at different stages of prosecutions in various family courts,” the statement added.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf had earlier revealed that this is why Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, pledged his unalloyed support for destitutes and beggars in providing adequate welfare and other social amenities at all special homes built for them.