Kwara Residents Lament Persistent Street Begging Despite Government Crackdown

Despite intensified enforcement efforts by the Kwara State Government, street begging continues to thrive across Ilorin, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the ongoing crackdown and the deeper socio-economic factors fueling the trend.

The government recently stepped up its campaign against street begging, citing security threats, environmental concerns, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly children. The renewed action followed the arrest of a suspected criminal who allegedly posed as a beggar, highlighting the potential use of begging as a cover for unlawful activities.

Officials from the Ministry of Social Development disclosed that more than 90 beggars had been evacuated and profiled from key areas such as GRA, Tanke, and Offa Garage. Authorities also warned parents and guardians against sending children to beg and encouraged residents to channel assistance through recognised humanitarian organisations.

However, observations across major parts of Ilorin, including Post Office, Challenge, Oja Tuntun, Gambari, and other busy locations, revealed that street begging remains widespread. Beggars, many of them women and children, were seen frequenting ATM points, markets, fuel stations, and other high-traffic areas, often approaching residents persistently.

Residents and business owners expressed concerns about the impact of the situation on safety and economic activities. Some reported harassment and intimidation by groups of beggars, while others noted a decline in customer patronage due to the constant presence of beggars around their businesses.

There are also growing suspicions of organised patterns, as many beggars appear to operate in groups and target specific locations during peak hours. This has led to questions about whether some are part of coordinated networks rather than acting independently.

Stakeholders attributed the persistence of street begging to factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, and rural-urban migration. Concerns were also raised about the increasing involvement of children, who face risks of exploitation, abuse, and lack of access to education.

Experts and civil society groups emphasised that enforcement alone may not be sufficient to address the issue. They called for comprehensive measures, including social welfare programmes, vocational training, and stronger child protection systems to tackle the root causes.

While the government maintains its commitment to sustaining enforcement operations and rehabilitating affected individuals, the reappearance of beggars in previously cleared areas suggests that current measures may not be fully effective.

Residents continue to call for a balanced approach that combines stricter enforcement with long-term social and economic interventions to curb the growing problem of street begging in the state.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale