- As Ministry Evacuates Homeless Children
BY RITA OYIBOKA
THE Delta State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Community, and Social Development, Hon. (Evang) Pat Ajudua has reiterated the state government’s stance to remove children from the streets as part of its ongoing efforts to curb street hawking and child homelessness.
The operation, which began yesterday was coordinated by the Commissioner along with ministry’s delegates. It involved the evacuation of several homeless children, aged nine to 21, from key areas in the state capital, including Interbau Roundabout, Koka Bridge, and Summit Junction.
While fielding questions from journalists after the exercise, the commissioner emphasised that the administration of Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori would not tolerate street dwellers, particularly juveniles citing the security risks associated with their presence.
“The essence of this exercise is to get these children off the streets. Delta State does not encourage street hawking or people sleeping under bridges. Over time, they become a public nuisance and a security threat. That is why we are taking proactive measures to evacuate them before the situation worsens,” she said.
Ajudua explained that the rescued children were being profiled, and those with known destinations would be returned to their home states. She further affirmed that the operation would continue until the streets were completely cleared.
“The challenge is that many of them return within days of being evacuated. We will persist in our efforts and focus on all key areas, including Koka Bridge and Summit Junction, to ensure they do not return,” she added.
During the exercise, a commercial driver at Koka Bridge, Mr. Augustine Eberechukwu, expressed support for the initiative, lamenting the disorder caused by the homeless children.
“They are making a mess everywhere, defecating all over the place. Some of them engage in criminal activities, and we cannot understand their behavior. It is good that the government is taking action,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the evacuees, twin brothers Peter and Paul Izua from Imo State, shared their struggles with The Pointer. They recounted how they survived by selling sachet water and sleeping under the Summit flyover after dropping out of school in JSS1 following their father’s death. “We don’t want to live on the streets anymore. We want to return to Imo State and go back to school,” they said.
Addressing the public, Hon. Ajudua issued a stern warning to others still in hiding, urging them to leave voluntarily or face forced evacuation and punitive measures in future operations.
