Law violations: Kwara govt arrests, convicts beggars, street urchins in Ilorin
In a decisive action aimed at enhancing security in the state, the Kwara State Government has launched a campaign to arrest, prosecute, and convict beggars and street urchins in Ilorin via a Mobile Court set up at the Ministry of Social Development Headquarters.
Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima-Imam, recently led an enforcement team that resulted in the apprehension of 66 individuals, including 28 women, 17 men, and 21 children, from various parts of the metropolis.
According to Janet Bogunjoko, Press Secretary for the Ministry, the operation targeted major locations such as Post-Office, Taiwo Road, Asa-Dam Road, Gerin-Alimi, Garage Offa roundabout, and Tanke. “The commissioner confirmed that they were caught indulging in begging at different locations in the Ilorin metropolis where they were earlier prohibited,” Bogunjoko stated.
Explaining the rationale behind this initiative, Nnafatima-Imam remarked, “The evacuation of the beggars and street urchins became necessary because of their proliferation and threat to security in the state capital.”
She emphasized that, despite previous campaigns and warnings from the government, the issue persisted. “The state government had to go tough and apply decisive punishment on them owing to their persistent proliferation,” she added.
Nnafatima-Imam further stated that this would be a continuous exercise, warning offenders to adhere to government guidelines. “We will not hesitate to wield our long sticks on offenders,” she cautioned.
After the arrests, the beggars were taken to the Mobile Court, where Senior Magistrate Jumoke Bello pronounced their sentences. Offenders were assigned community service tasks, such as cleaning and hoeing public spaces, in accordance with the Kwara State Social Development Laws. Notably, five of the beggars were sentenced to one month at federal correctional facilities in the state.
Source: PUNCH
