Kwara Government Evacuates 40 Beggars in Fresh Ilorin Raid
The Kwara State Government has evacuated another batch of 40 beggars from the streets of Ilorin, the state capital, as part of its ongoing campaign to curb street begging.
The operation, carried out by officials of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Kwara Command, targeted hotspots including Tipper Garage in Tanke, Offa Garage, and Garin Alimi.
During the exercise, security operatives recovered a foreign currency (US dollar) from one of the beggars, identified as Musa Mahmuda from Kano State, while another was found with a sharp knife. Seven of those apprehended were repeat offenders, having been previously arrested in earlier evacuations but returned to the streets.
Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr. Mariam Imam, said the latest operation showed progress, with the number of beggars removed dropping from 94 in the last exercise to 40. She explained that the ministry had adjusted its strategy because the beggars were also changing tactics and locations to avoid arrest.
Dr. Imam appealed to members of the public to stop giving alms directly to beggars, urging them instead to channel donations through religious organisations, orphanages, and places of worship. She reiterated that street begging has been outlawed in the state.
Also speaking, the Head of the Non-Custodian Centre of the NCS, Kwara Command, Adebayo Okunola, said punitive measures would be applied to serve as a deterrence. He disclosed that the beggars would be made to clean and sweep the streets as part of rehabilitation, stressing that “there is dignity in labour.”
The state government has carried out similar operations in recent months as part of efforts to reduce street begging, which officials warn poses both social and security risks.
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