Kwara State Cracks Down on Beggars and Street Urchins, Imposing Community Service Sentences
In a decisive move to enhance urban security and public order, the Kwara State Government has initiated a stringent crackdown on street begging and the proliferation of street urchins across Ilorin, the state capital. As of June 29, 2025, a newly deployed Mobile Court has commenced the immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of offenders, leading to various individuals, including women and children, being sentenced to community service.
The operation, spearheaded by the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development, saw enforcement teams sweep through major areas of Ilorin, including Post-Office, Taiwo Road, Asa-Dam Road, Gerin-Alimi, and Tanke. Those apprehended – a mix of men, women, and children – were immediately brought before a Mobile Court situated at the Ministry's headquarters.
Senior Magistrate Jumoke Bello presided over the proceedings, delivering judgments in line with the provisions of the Kwara State Social Development Laws. All convicted individuals were sentenced to community service.
Rationale Behind the Crackdown:
The state government's intensified action is primarily driven by concerns over the proliferation of beggars and street urchins, and their perceived threat to security in the state capital. Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, the Commissioner for Social Development, emphasized that despite previous awareness campaigns and warnings, the issue has persisted, necessitating more stringent enforcement.
Dr. Mariam Imam further highlighted that these activities are not only an "anti-social behavior" and "environmental nuisance" but that beggars are often considered to be "informants to kidnappers, armed robbers and assassins." This grave accusation underscores the security imperative behind the government's firm stance.
Legal Framework and Past Efforts:
It's important to note that street begging has been prohibited in Kwara State since December 2006 under the Kwara State Street Begging (Prohibition) Law. This law makes it an offense for any person to "wander about or place himself in any street or public place within the State to ask, beg for or gather alms." It also criminalizes aiding and abetting street begging. Penalties historically included fines not exceeding N5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months, or both.
Previous attempts to curb street begging have faced challenges, including a lack of full cooperation from local communities. However, the current administration, backed by the Kwara State House of Assembly, is determined to enforce the law more rigorously. In May 2025, the Kwara House of Assembly had urged the state government to enforce the law, setting up a committee to assess the scope, causes, and security implications of street begging.
Broader Implications:
The prosecution of beggars and street urchins raises complex societal questions. While the government emphasizes security and public order, human rights advocates often point to the underlying socio-economic factors that drive individuals to beg, such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities, mental health issues, and disabilities.
The Kwara State Government has indicated that this "evacuation" and prosecution exercise will be continuous, urging offenders to desist immediately or face the "long sticks" of the law. This sustained approach suggests a long-term commitment to reshaping the urban landscape and addressing perceived security risks associated with street begging.
