The Kwara State Government has intensified its crackdown on street begging following the arrest of a suspected bandit who allegedly disguised himself as a beggar in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The development was disclosed by the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, during a monitoring and enforcement exercise against street begging in the Ilorin metropolis.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary of the Ministry, Rasheedat Shodunke, the commissioner said the incident has heightened security concerns and prompted renewed enforcement measures across the state.

She described the Igbaja case as a serious security breach capable of undermining public safety if not urgently addressed.

"This incident is a serious security concern and a clear indication that street begging could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful acts and threaten public safety," she said.

Hajia Imam stressed that while the government remains committed to supporting vulnerable persons through structured rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, it would not condone criminal infiltration under the guise of social vulnerability.

"While the state remains committed to protecting vulnerable persons through rehabilitation and empowerment programmes, we will not tolerate the use of street begging as a cover for criminal activities," she declared.

She also warned parents, guardians and sponsors against encouraging or forcing children and dependants to engage in street begging, noting that such actions expose them to exploitation, abuse and significant security risks.

"Sending children or dependants to beg on the streets exposes them to exploitation, abuse and serious security risks," she cautioned.

The commissioner urged residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies and relevant authorities.

She further appealed to members of the public to channel support for vulnerable individuals through government-approved social intervention platforms and credible humanitarian organisations, rather than through indiscriminate street almsgiving.

According to her, the ongoing monitoring and enforcement operations, which have commenced within the Ilorin metropolis, will be extended to all 16 local government areas of the state.

Hajia Imam reaffirmed the government's resolve to safeguard lives and property, warning that individuals or groups found engaging in or facilitating street begging would face strict legal consequences in line with existing Kwara State laws.