The Edo State Government has launched an operation to remove mentally unstable individuals from major roads and public spaces in Benin City as part of efforts to improve public safety and strengthen social welfare measures.
Officials involved in the exercise moved through several areas of the city, relocating vulnerable persons who had been living on the streets. Authorities said the initiative is designed to ensure affected individuals receive medical attention, care, and rehabilitation support.
The development has generated different reactions among residents. Some citizens praised the action, describing it as a necessary step toward improving sanitation, security, and order within the state capital.
Others, however, raised concerns about the welfare of those being evacuated, stressing the need for humane treatment, proper rehabilitation centres, and sustainable mental health support services.
The operation has also renewed public discussions about mental health awareness, homelessness, and the role of government in protecting vulnerable people within society.