Two weeks after the Lagos State Government dumped 72 non-indigene destitute in Onitsha, Anambra State, the Rivers State Government has followed suit by expelling an even greater number of non-indigenes described as destitute.

“Some of the 113 beggars and lunatics (were) removed from the streets of Port Harcourt, the capital city” and have been “sent to their home states,” reports the Lagos newspaper P.M. NEWS. “The state has warned it will soon embark on another removal exercise,” the paper adds.

According to the evening paper, the chairman of a special committee charged with the responsibility of restoring sanity on major areas of Rivers State, “Mr Mina Jamabo, said of the 113 beggars, destitute and lunatics removed from the streets, some had been taken to the state’s rehabilitation centres for treatment.

“Jamabo said that non-indigenes had since been repatriated to their various states, while the indigenes would be treated by the government until they were fit to re-unite with their families.

Jambo did not give the figure of the destitute sent to their home states.

“Mrs. Stella Toby, Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation however unfurled government fresh plans to remove beggars and destitute from streets in the state.

“She said that beggars, destitute and mentally-ill people were constituting problems on some major streets and roads in the state.”

Mrs. Toby was quoted as saying: “Most of the beggars are from neighbouring states and I can assure you that they will be removed from the streets and repatriated back to their respective states.”

•Photo shows Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi.