By Atinuke Alao
The Kwara State government has vowed that it would not tolerate the use of street begging as a cover for criminal activities.
The government also warned parents, guardians, and sponsors against sending children or dependants to beg on the streets, noting that such practices expose them to exploitation, abuse, and serious security risks.
The state Commissioner for Social Welfare, Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam, said this during a monitoring and enforcement exercise against street begging in Ilorin metropolis.
The warning came on the heels of the report of the arrest of a bandit in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, who allegedly disguised as a street beggar before security operatives pounced on him.
The Press Secretary of the state Ministry of Social Development, Rasheedat Shodunnke, quoted the commissioner to have spoken in a statement made available to Wind Gate News in Ilorin on Saturday.
The statement was titled “Kwara Govt Intensifies Crackdown on Street Begging as Enforcement Begins in Ilorin.”
Imam described the arrest of the suspect as a serious security concern and a clear indication that criminal elements could exploit street begging to perpetrate unlawful acts and threaten public safety.
She threatened that individuals or groups found engaging in or facilitating street begging will face strict legal action in accordance with Kwara State laws.
The commissioner added that the state government is committed to safeguarding lives and property, while promoting a safer, more orderly, and socially responsible society.
She, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies or relevant government authorities.
“The Kwara State government has intensified efforts to curb street begging across the state following the recent arrest of a suspected bandit, who allegedly disguised himself as a beggar in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
“Imam emphasized that while the state remains committed to protecting vulnerable persons through rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, it will not tolerate the use of street begging as a cover for criminal activities.
“The commissioner further called on members of the public to support vulnerable persons through government-approved social intervention programmes and credible humanitarian organisations, rather than through indiscriminate street almsgiving.
“The Ministry confirmed that the monitoring and enforcement operations, which have already commenced in Ilorin, will be extended to all Local Government Areas of the state,” the statement partly read.
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