Banditry: No More Street Begging In Kwara State - Kwara State Government

Kwara State has taken a bold step by declaring that it will no longer tolerate street begging being used as a cover for criminal activities. This decision follows the arrest of a suspected bandit who was reportedly posing as a beggar. That alone should wake us up.

Street begging is no longer just a social issue. It has become a security concern.

When large numbers of able-bodied young people roam the streets under the guise of begging, it creates room for criminal infiltration. Some hide weapons. Some gather intelligence. Some monitor communities. What looks like sympathy can easily become vulnerability.

But beyond security, there is a deeper issue we must address honestly: the culture of uncontrolled birth without responsibility.

No society can progress when families continue to bring children into the world without the capacity to feed, educate, clothe, and protect them. Children should not be born into suffering. They should not grow up on the streets. They should not become tools in the hands of criminals because their parents failed to plan.

Compassion does not mean enabling irresponsibility.

Parents must understand that raising a child is not only biological it is economic, emotional, and moral. Giving birth is easy. Raising responsible citizens is the real duty.

The North, particularly parts of Arewa, must confront this reality. If we truly care about dignity, we must stop celebrating poverty disguised as destiny. We must stop normalizing child neglect. We must stop turning a blind eye to street cultures that expose children to crime, drugs, and exploitation.

Kwara’s enforcement must go beyond arrest. It should include:

• Rehabilitation programs

• Family planning awareness

• Compulsory education enforcement

• Strict monitoring of organized street networks

Security begins with responsibility. And responsibility begins at home.