Kwara Assembly moves to ban street begging, says it constitutes security risks

The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on the state government to enforce the Street Begging Prohibition Law, warning that the unchecked practice poses serious social and security risks.

The lawmakers made the call following a motion of urgent public importance titled “Need to Control the Trend of Street Begging in Kwara State and Mitigate the Associated Security Risk”, moved by Hon. Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (APC–Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe) during plenary on Wednesday.

In his lead debate, Danbaba raised concerns over the growing prevalence of street begging, describing it as a threat to public order and a danger to vulnerable individuals who may be exposed to abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

He stressed the need for immediate intervention to protect the beggars and the general public.

While reading the resolutions, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to constitute a committee to assess the scope, causes, and security implications of street begging across the state.

He said the committee should develop comprehensive measures to mitigate the menace.

Lawmakers also urged Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq to mandate the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development to establish a community-based task force.

The task force, they said, would identify and report cases of street begging while supporting the reintegration of beggars into society through targeted interventions.

In a related development, the House also read for the first time a Bill to amend the Kwara State Secret Cults and Secret Societies Prohibition Law.

The proposed amendment seeks to introduce stiffer penalties for offenders and address related issues.