The Kwara State Government has sealed six schools in Ilorin for operating in unhygienic conditions and without functional toilet facilities, while also evacuating 54 street beggars as part of a wider operation to safeguard public health and restore order in the state capital.
In a statement issued by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and signed by its Assistant Press Secretary, Blessing Opadiran, the agency said the affected schools will remain closed until they restore proper hygiene and meet all sanitation requirements.
KWEPA said the enforcement followed extensive inspections that uncovered severe neglect of mandatory sanitary standards. The agency noted that the schools lacked adequate toilet facilities and failed to maintain basic hygiene needed to protect pupils, staff, and surrounding communities.
During the operation, the Head of the School Department, Mrs. Wulaimat Musa, reiterated KWEPA’s zero tolerance for practices that endanger public health, especially in learning environments.
“The absence of functional toilet facilities exposes children to serious risks, including disease outbreaks and environmental pollution. Schools are expected to meet minimum hygiene standards before operating,” she said. “Any institution that compromises the health of children by neglecting basic sanitation requirements will face strict enforcement measures.”
KWEPA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the State Environmental Protection Laws, which require schools to maintain proper waste management systems, clean and functional toilets, and compliance with sanitation guidelines. The sealed schools, it stressed, will only reopen after full compliance and verification.
In a related development, the State Ministry of Social Development evacuated 54 street beggars from major locations in Ilorin during an operation that lasted until about 8 p.m. on Friday. A statement signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Janet Bogunjoko, said the operation was led by the Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima Imam.
According to the ministry, the exercise aims to strengthen public safety, improve environmental cleanliness, and curb the activities of miscreants disguising as beggars. Dr. Imam stated that the operation will be extended beyond the Ilorin metropolis to broaden its impact.
She urged residents to support the government’s efforts, warning that street begging poses health risks and could fuel organised criminal activities. The evacuated individuals have been profiled and handed over to relevant authorities for rehabilitation and further processing.
The dual operations underscore the state government’s renewed commitment to environmental safety, public order, and the welfare of vulnerable groups.