No fewer than 78 beggars have been repatriated to five northern states in the country by the Kogi State Government.
This was disclosed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Kabir Buba while addressing newsmen in Kogi state.
The commissioner said the beggars were evacuated from different parts of Lokoja metropolis including Old Market, Zango, Ganaja Village, and Obasanjo Square and repatriated to Katsina , Kaduna, Kano , Bauchi, and Zamfara states.
Buba further revealed that the evacuation was not done to discriminate against them, but to rid streets of the state capital of beggars.
She said;
“The state government made adequate arrangements to ensure that they are transported to their respective location with utmost respect and dignity. Before the government transported them back to their home states and local governments of origin with six buses, we took them first to the ministry’s rehabilitation centre, fed them and provided all the basic needs that will enable them start normal life like every other citizen of the country.
“This government is committed to cater for every citizen even though you are not from Kogi State. This action of ours should not be misconstrued. The government under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello remains committed to providing for the less-privileged without any form of discrimination in the state.”