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Lagos State government said it has removed 1, 680 beggars, destitutes and mentally challenged persons from the streets of Lagos in the last one year.
This is as 162 children wer also rescued during the same period.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri, made the disclosure at a press conference in Lagos, said 1, 299 of the figure were rehabilitated and released to their relations for reintegration into the society.
Dabiri explained that of the 162 children rescued in the past one year, 62 were males while 100 were females.
The Commissioner further disclosed that 79 abandoned children were found in Lagos, while 15 girls were sexually abused and 28 others physically abused, adding that five children were emotionally abused; 32 others placed on care and shelter, and three children in conflict with the law.
He said the government carried out reformatory services at the Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Majidun, specifically designed for rehabilitation of beggars, destitute and the mentally challenged.
“The Centre built as a Transit Home, presently has a population of 1,288 rehabilitees undergoing medical treatment, psycho–social therapy, behavioural modification and further social investigation,” he disclosed.
Dabiri, who lamented increase in the number of youths engaging in drug abuse, added that the administration of governor Akinwunmi Ambode was doing everything humanly possible to tackle the surge.
