Kwara Residents Concerned Over Persistent Street Begging

Residents of Kwara State have raised concerns about the ongoing prevalence of street begging in Ilorin, despite intensified government crackdowns. The Kwara State Ministry of Social Development reported that 90 beggars were evacuated from the metropolitan area, including locations like Offa Garage.

Hajia Mariam Nnafati Imam, a representative from the ministry, highlighted that street begging poses security risks and exploits vulnerable groups, especially children. The government has warned parents against sending their children to beg and urged residents to direct their charitable donations to approved humanitarian organizations.

Despite these efforts, reports indicate that street begging remains rampant in high-traffic areas, with clusters of women and children frequently seen around ATMs and markets. The presence of beggars has reportedly affected local businesses, with some residents feeling harassed.

Observations suggest a possible organized network among beggars, raising concerns about the exploitation of children and the need for effective government intervention to address the underlying socio-economic factors driving this practice.