Some mentally-challenged persons and destitute, who were recently evacuated from the streets in Benin Metropolis by the Edo State government have returned to their base, raising serious concerns amongst residents.
This comes barely 24 hours after the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, raided
evacuated persons suffering from mental health challenges from major streets and public spaces within the
Benin metropolis.
Those evacuated during the exercise are intended to undergo proper medical evaluation and rehabilitation processes aimed at facilitating recovery and possible reintegration with their families and Communities where applicable.
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on Monday continued its ongoing operation to evacuate mentally challenged persons from major streets and public spaces within the Benin City metropolis, as
The government move, which is part of efforts to address mental health concerns, restore public safety, and provide rehabilitation for vulnerable individuals across the State.
The ongoing statewide exercise is part of the Ministry’s sustained social welfare and rehabilitation. In addition, the programme is targeted at addressing homelessness, mental health challenges, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
The exercise, was supervised by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah.
Officials of the Ministry move across strategic locations within the city to identify and evacuate persons living with mental disorders and roaming the streets without care or shelter.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Joy Ihensekhien, alongside the director and staff of the Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department, who coordinated the evacuation and assessment process, were present during the exercise.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner stated that the operation forms part of the Edo State Government’s broader commitment to protecting vulnerable persons while ensuring a safer and healthier environment for residents of the State.
The exercise, according to her, is not intended to criminalize or stigmatize persons with mental health conditions, but rather to provide them with humane care, treatment, rehabilitation, and opportunities for reintegration into society.
“This exercise is fundamentally a humanitarian intervention aimed at restoring dignity and hope to vulnerable individuals who have been abandoned on the streets.
“Many of these persons require urgent medical attention, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation, and it is the responsibility of government to ensure they receive the care they deserve”, she said.
Abdallah further explained that the operation would remain continuous and periodic, stressing that the Ministry is working with relevant stakeholders and rehabilitation professionals to ensure that rescued persons are properly profiled, assessed, and given adequate support.
“We are committed to sustaining this exercise across the state. This is not a one-off operation.
“The Government of Edo State remains determined to rid our streets of situations that expose mentally challenged persons to danger, abuse, and neglect while also safeguarding public health and safety”, according to her.
The Commissioner appealed to residents to cooperate with the Ministry by reporting cases of mentally unstable persons who may require urgent intervention, while also encouraging citizens to show compassion and empathy toward vulnerable individuals.
