The Lagos State government has begun a massive clampdown on beggars and lunatics in a bid to rid the metropolis of destitute.
Already, no fewer than 128 were arrested at different locations in the State as of Monday.
The raid was carried out on Monday across the metropolis as government vowed to rid the State off beggars, lunatics and street traders.
Officials of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development carried out the raid.
In the exercise tagged “Rescue Operation” by a special team of the Rescue and Rehabilitation Department of the ministry in collaboration with the police, Man-O- War officers and other volunteers, visited major streets and markets in Mushin, Fadeyi, Yaba, Lekki and Sabo areas to rescue beggars, destitute and vulnerable people found on the street, under the bridges, uncompleted buildings and other places unfit for human habitation.
Beggars, destitute, lunatics and others caught were hauled inside truck and taken away.
The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, had during a press conference Alausa recently, said the plan, purpose and modus operandi for setting up of the special team is to rescue beggars, destitute and vulnerable persons.
The commissioner said: “As a responsible and responsive government, we will not fold our arms and watch the State become a haven for beggars,” noting that the State would take action to curb the menace.
“Street begging is a social vice that we cannot afford to watch attain uncontrollable level before we act, otherwise all the good plans and programmes to transform our dear State would be adversely affected which is same with street hawking,” he added.