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 of the state.

The Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, disclosed the development while addressing officers during a monitoring and enforcement exercise in the Ilorin metropolis.

In a statement issued on Saturday, February 14, 2026, by the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Rasheedat Shodunke, the commissioner described the incident as a serious security breach capable of undermining public safety.

“The Kwara State Government has launched a full-scale enforcement operation against street begging across the state, following growing security concerns triggered by the recent arrest of a suspected bandit who allegedly disguised himself as a beggar in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area,” the statement read.

According to the Commissioner, the Igbaja incident has exposed how street begging can be exploited by criminal elements to infiltrate communities, gather intelligence, and threaten public safety.

“This is no longer just a social issue; it is now a serious security concern. We cannot allow criminals to hide under the guise of begging to endanger our people,” she said.

Hajia Imam stressed that while the state government remains committed to supporting vulnerable persons through rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and empowerment programmes, it will not tolerate the use of street begging as a cover for illegal activities.

She warned parents, guardians, and sponsors against sending children and dependants to beg on the streets, describing the practice as dangerous and exploitative.

“Children and vulnerable people are being exposed to abuse, trafficking, and criminal networks. This is unacceptable in a responsible society,” she added.

The Commissioner urged residents of Kwara State to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to security agencies and relevant government authorities.

She also advised the public to stop giving alms on the streets and instead channel their support through government-approved social intervention programmes and credible humanitarian organisations that can properly care for the needy.

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Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected gunrunner in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state.

It was learnt that the troops successfully arrested a 48-year-old suspect, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, a native of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on 12 February, 2026.

Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations in 6 Brigade, said A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of 6 PKT Machine Guns, 2 x 7.62mm special ammunition, ₦170,000 cash, 1 Peugeot 504 vehicle, 1 mobile Phone, 7 bottles and wraps of perfume as well as 2 small containers of vaseline.

He confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.

The army brigade spokesperson said the interception has once again denied criminal elements the opportunity to proliferate illegal weapons within the state, thereby contributing significantly to ongoing efforts to curb insecurity and enhance public safety.

“The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Micheal Akaliro, commended the vigilance, professionalism, and swift response of the troops. He urged them to sustain the operational tempo to ensure the Brigade achieves the mandate assigned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).He also appreciated the cooperation of local residents who provided timely and credible intelligence that significantly supported the success of the operation.

“The Commander called on members of the public to remain security conscious and to continue assisting security agencies with actionable information, saying that the Brigade remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives and property, and to restore lasting peace and stability across Taraba State.”

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A China-based Nigerian businessman, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, and two Angolan nationals: Mbandu Martins Makiadi and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, have excreted a total of 236 wraps of cocaine following their arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, respectively.

The 34-year-old Ibeanu was arrested on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, while on board a Qatar Airways flight 1432 from Kano to China enroute Abuja/Doha. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Abuja airport demanded that the suspect be deboarded following which he was taken for body scan. The result confirmed the suspect ingested illicit drug.

A statement issued on Sunday and signed by NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Ibeanu was thereafter placed under observation during which he excreted a total of 52 pellets of cocaine that weighed 735.95 grams. In his statement, Ibeanu said he was into business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guanzhou, China, in 2024.

“The duo of Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52, both Angolans were intercepted on Wednesday 4th February at the screening point of the departure hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano during the outward clearance of passengers going to Istanbul, Turkey via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.

“When they were taken for body scan, they tested positive for ingesting illicit drug. As a result, they were kept under observation for possible excretion. While Mbandu excreted a total of 76 wraps weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, Ngoma expelled 108 pellets that weighed 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.

“During interview, the suspects who hail from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, the capital of Angola claimed they were recruited by a Luanda-based automobile spare parts dealer who promised to pay them $3000 each upon successful delivery of the consignments in Turkey,” the statement said.

Also, attempt by a convicted drug kingpin Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as Garri to London, United Kingdom, on a Virgin Atlantic flight, was thwarted by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.

Olashupo is presently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, after NDLEA arrested him in 2025 in connection with a case of unlawful conspiracy to export 17.90kg cocaine, and was successfully prosecuted, convicted and sentenced in charge number FHC/L/925C/2025, by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

“Not ready to give up on his criminal enterprise, the convict who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics, located at 20, Omilade Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, initiated the latest scheme from behind the prison wall to export the 1.10kg cocaine, using his company. His lid was, however, uncovered on Thursday 12th February when NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted a consignment of compressed block of cocaine, hidden in a sack of Garri which was further packed inside a carton.

“A staff of Dimeji Express Logistics, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export was promptly arrested. Investigations revealed that Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, initiated the trafficking scheme from prison and directed Yusuf to pick the consignment at a location in Oshodi,” Babafemi said.

He added that a similar attempt by a 44-year-old estate surveyor Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the UK, was equally frustrated by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport. The cargo agent, Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, who presented the consignment for export, was initially arrested while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of Adelaja at Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on Monday, February 9.

In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Thursday, February 12, intercepted a waybill package sent from Enugu containing children’s toy guitar. A search of the guitar revealed that it was used to conceal two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis, weighing 59.2grams. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Henry Onuma, at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers on Friday, February 13, raided a 4-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis. The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park, Ajah–Epe expressway, a consignment intended for Benin City, Edo State. The driver of the vehicle moving the shipment, Amos Innocent, was arrested while Victor Oyedeji was nabbed at the Lekki home where 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced Colos were recovered in addition to precursor chemicals.

A notorious female drug dealer in Ibadan, Oyo State, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was on Wednesday, February 11, arrested at her enclave in Hope Alakia area of the state capital. Recovered from her include: 1.189kg Colos, skunk; 320grams of methamphetamine; monetary exhibit of ₦2,975,000 and two cars: a Navy blue Toyota Matrix car marked JJJ 629 FQ and a Sky blue Toyota Matrix car with registration number LND 602 AQ.

No fewer than 105,400 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43, when his J5 vehicle marked DTM-765XA, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives
at Bode Saadu area of Kwara State on Thursday, February 12.

In Edo State, five suspects: Murtala Mohammed, 37; Abdulkadir Idris Mohammed, 29; Ufoma Edafe, 40; Anthony Aghati, 46; and Emmanuel Owalu Ekele, 39, were arrested on Saturday, February 14, when NDLEA operatives raided the Yoruba Camp, Olumoye Forest, in Ovia North East LGA, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitiation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Government Day Secondary School, Yola, Adamawa State; Government Secondary School, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, Nasarawa State; Government Girls Technical and Commercial College, Charanchi, Katsina State, and Ajumoni Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos State, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo State Commands for the arrests, seizures and their professionalism, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue the current balanced approach to their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

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