The Kwara State Government has removed 94 street beggars from key areas in Ilorin, including Geri Alimi, Tanke Junction, and Zango, as part of efforts to curb street begging. The group includes 43 women and 51 men.
Commissioner for Social Welfare, Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam, led the operation alongside correctional officers and the governor’s aide on drug abuse, Haliru Olamilekan Mikail.
Dr Imam said the state will prosecute offenders and repatriate them after profiling, adding that similar exercises have been done in the past. She urged residents to stop giving alms to beggars, advising donations to verified centres instead.
Mikail noted that some beggars pose security risks, including acting as informants or being used for drug-related activities.
The Correctional Service confirmed it will assign community service to those not facing criminal charges, in line with the Correctional Act 2019.
