The Kwara State Government has intensified its crackdown on street begging following the arrest of a suspected bandit who allegedly disguised himself as a beggar in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, disclosed the development on Friday during a monitoring and enforcement exercise against street begging in Ilorin metropolis.
“This incident is a serious security concern and a clear indication that street begging could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful acts and threaten public safety,” the commissioner said.
She emphasized that while the government remains committed to supporting vulnerable persons through rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, it would not tolerate criminal infiltration under the guise of social vulnerability.
“While the state remains committed to protecting vulnerable persons through rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, we will not tolerate the use of street begging as a cover for criminal activities,” Imam declared.
She warned parents and guardians against encouraging children to engage in street begging, noting that “sending children or dependants to beg on the streets exposes them to exploitation, abuse, and serious security risks.”
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies. She also advised the public to support vulnerable persons through government-approved social intervention programmes rather than indiscriminate street almsgiving.
The Ministry confirmed that ongoing monitoring and enforcement operations would be extended to all Local Government Areas, warning that offenders would face strict legal consequences under Kwara State laws.
