In a move to enhance public safety, the Kwara State Government has commenced the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of beggars and street urchins found violating state laws in Ilorin, the state capital.
The enforcement, carried out through a Mobile Court located at the Ministry of Social Development Headquarters in Ilorin, led to the arrest of 66 individuals—28 women, 17 men, and 21 children—by the Ministry’s task force.
The operation, led by the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima-Imam, targeted hotspots including Post Office, Taiwo Road, Asa-Dam Road, Gerin-Alimi, Garage Offa Roundabout, and Tanke areas.
According to a statement by the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Janet Bogunjoko, those arrested were found begging at locations where such activities had previously been banned.
The Commissioner explained that the crackdown became necessary due to the growing number of beggars and street urchins, which authorities view as a potential threat to security.
She noted that the government resorted to strict enforcement after numerous warnings and public sensitisation campaigns failed to curb the trend.
“This exercise will be sustained, and the government will continue to apply strict measures against defaulters,” Nnafatima-Imam said, urging those involved to heed the state’s directives.
Presiding over the Mobile Court, Senior Magistrate Jumoke Bello convicted the offenders and sentenced them to community service, including cleaning and hoeing in public areas, in accordance with the provisions of the Kwara State Social Development Laws.
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Additionally, five of the offenders received a one-month custodial sentence at the Federal Correctional Centre.
