By The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with security agencies and environmental authorities, has on Thursday, carried out a joint operation to remove destitutes and street beggars from major parts of Ibadan as part of efforts to improve environmental sanitation and public safety.
According to a Press Release dated May 14 and signed by the Commissioner for Information Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade, noted that the enforcement exercise, which took place on Thursday evening, was coordinated by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, alongside the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, and the Environmental Task Force.
The operation was led by retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Francis Ojomo, who chairs the Environmental Task Force in Oyo State.
Areas covered during the exercise included the Beere, Mapo and Oja’ba access routes within the Ibadan metropolis.
The statement noted that several destitutes and street beggars were apprehended during the operation for constituting environmental and public order challenges in the affected areas.
The affected persons were conveyed in two high-capacity buses to the Internally Displaced and Destitute Home located in Akinyele Local Government Area for profiling, rehabilitation and care.
Speaking on the development, the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi, said the state government remains committed to curbing indiscriminate street begging and unlawful occupation of public spaces.
“The activities of destitutes and beggars on major roads and walkways pose serious environmental challenges, obstruct free movement, and compromise public safety and hygiene,” she said.
Justice Aderemi added that maintaining a cleaner and more orderly environment aligns with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
She urged residents not to encourage street begging and appealed for public cooperation with enforcement agencies to maintain order across the state.
Authorities also stated that the operation would be sustained across Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State to ensure a cleaner, safer and more conducive environment for residents, visitors and businesses.
