By Monsuru Olowoopejo & Amarachi Chukwudi

Scores of physically-challenged persons and traders, yesterday, stormed the office of Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, protesting alleged indiscriminate arrest of persons with disability and displacement of traders and artisans as beggars in the state.

The protesters were armed with placards, some of which read: “Ambode, stop destroying our homes, markets and schools,” “We are in recession now, why destroy our economy,” “We are part of Lagos, don’t displace us,” among others.

The physically-challenged persons alleged that they were often arrested under the guise of removing beggars from major highways in the state.

It will be recalled that the state government had, at the last town hall meeting, disclosed that 31 Niger Republic destitutes/beggars were rescued from the streets of Lagos between January and July.

Speaking to Vanguard, Seriki Arewa of physically-challenged persons in Agege Local Government Area of the state, Mallam Haruna Abdullahi, alleged that over 20 physically-challenged artisans were arrested as beggars by officials of the state government.

Muhammed Zana, Secretary, argued that the action of the state government was unconstitutional, adding “the officials do not check. All they do is to arrest any person who is physically challenged.”

Matthew Abba, a trader who was displaced, argued that hundreds of traders have been displaced by the ongoing demolition of struc-tures in Lekki and Victoria Island axis of the state.