Kwara lawmakers call for enforcement of anti-street begging law

Innocent RaphaelMay 7, 2025

1 minute read

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Kwara State House of Assembly has urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct the Ministry of Justice to ensure the full enforcement of the Kwara State Street Begging Prohibition Law of 2006, in a bid to curb the growing menace of street begging and its security implications.

The call was made during Tuesday’s plenary session through a Motion on Notice titled “Need to Control the Trend of Street Begging in Kwara State and Mitigate the Associated Security Risk” (KWHAM 42). The motion was presented by Hon. Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe) and seconded by Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel (Ekiti).

The lawmakers also urged the governor to mandate the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to establish a committee comprising representatives from security agencies, religious and traditional institutions, and other stakeholders. The committee would be tasked with assessing the causes and scope of street begging, its security risks, and proposing actionable solutions.

Additionally, the House called on the governor to direct the Ministry of Social Development to revive rehabilitation centres across the state. These centres should be equipped with medical care, skills acquisition programmes, psychological support, and reintegration services for individuals involved in street begging.

They further recommended that local government councils, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development, establish community-based task forces to identify and assist beggars, working in collaboration with security and social welfare agencies.

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate included Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel (Ekiti), Hon. Bello Yinusa Oniboki (Afon), Hon. Arinola Fatima Lawal (Ilorin East), Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon (Edu), Hon. Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq (Isin), Hon. Maryam Yusuf (Ilorin South), Hon. Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu (Owode/Onire), and Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasak (Share/Oke-Ode).