The Edo State Government has stepped up its statewide operation to remove mentally ill persons from the streets of Benin City, as part of a broader social welfare initiative aimed at improving public safety and delivering critical mental health support.
The exercise, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, continued on Monday across key areas of the Benin metropolis. Officials moved through major roads and public spaces, identifying individuals living with untreated mental health conditions and evacuating them for care and rehabilitation.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, who supervised the operation, said the initiative is rooted in compassion rather than enforcement. She emphasised that the government’s goal is to restore dignity to vulnerable individuals while ensuring a safer environment for residents.
“This is a humanitarian effort designed to give hope to people who have been left without care or support. Many require urgent medical attention and psychosocial assistance, and it is our duty as a government to respond,” she stated.
Also present during the exercise was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Joy Ihensekhien, alongside officials from the Rehabilitation Department, who
coordinated the identification, evacuation, and initial assessment of affected persons.According to Abdallah, the operation is not a one-time intervention but part of a sustained programme that will be carried out periodically across the state. She noted that rescued individuals would undergo proper profiling, medical evaluation, and rehabilitation, with the ultimate aim of reintegrating them into society where possible.
“We are committed to sustaining this effort. Beyond clearing the streets, this initiative is about protecting vulnerable people from abuse, neglect, and danger, while also addressing public health concerns,” she added.
The government has also called on residents to support the initiative by reporting cases of individuals in need of urgent intervention. Citizens were urged to respond with empathy and understanding, recognising that mental health challenges require care, not stigma.
Officials confirmed that those evacuated will receive comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services, forming part of the state’s wider commitment to tackling homelessness, mental health issues, and social vulnerability.
The ongoing exercise underscores Edo State’s renewed focus on inclusive welfare policies, placing the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens at the centre of governance.
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