The Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transport, AbdulQwawiy Olododo, reported that at least 10 lives were lost in various fire incidents across the state in 2023.
Additionally, the Commissioner for Social Development, Afolashade Opeyemi, expressed concern over beggars in the state being found with dangerous weapons such as guns, daggers, charms, and other harmful items.
These revelations were made on Monday during an inter-ministerial press briefing organized by the Ministry of Communications and Strategy, where the commissioners presented the scorecard of the first year of Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq’s second term.
Olododo highlighted that the state Fire Service saved property worth N18 billion during this period. He stated, “The State Fire Service received 190 emergency calls from citizens during the review period. They managed to save property valued at over N18 billion from fire incidents in the past year, while the estimated value of property lost amounted to N629 million. Unfortunately, at least 10 lives were lost to fire disasters during the year, though many fire victims were rescued alive.”
He credited the prompt interventions of Fire Service officers and the acquisition of modern firefighting equipment by the state government for saving many lives. Speaking on road projects, Olododo revealed that 75 road projects earmarked for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and interlocking were completed across the state, reducing travel times. He added that work is ongoing on an additional 80 road projects across the 16 local government areas, aimed at further reconstruction, rehabilitation, or interlocking.
Meanwhile, Opeyemi reported that the state government had raided beggars in the Ilorin metropolis suspected of being arms depots for criminals, adding that 158 beggars had been rounded up across the state in the past year.
Opeyemi lamented that most of the beggars were found with dangerous weapons such as guns, daggers, charms, and other harmful items, questioning why individuals posing as beggars would possess such items.
According to her, the beggars, mostly from Bauchi, Kano, and other northern states, have become a significant social menace in the state, particularly in Ilorin and its environs. She stated, “Our discovery confirms that criminals keep their guns and other weapons with the so-called beggars.”
Opeyemi also noted that five individuals causing disturbances in the Ilorin metropolis were treated by the state government at a psychiatric home in the Olorunda area, Ilorin, and discharged after being certified mentally stable and repatriated to their respective states.
She explained, “We have evacuated 158 young beggars from the streets; 88 were taken in the first raid, and another 70 were later added. They have since been repatriated to their states.” The Commissioner mentioned that the state government’s delegation had met several times with the leadership of these impaired individuals to address the issue, but “the truth is that they are just too stubborn.”
Opeyemi reiterated that the state government treated five individuals causing public disturbances at a psychiatric home, ensuring their mental stability before repatriating them to their home states.