The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the evacuation of street beggars, miscreants, and other social nuisances from the nation’s capital.
This action follows a directive issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, mandating the complete removal of street beggars, illegal traders, “one chance” syndicates, scavengers, and other criminal elements from satellite towns within the FCT.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, announced that the initiative, tagged “Operation Sweep Abuja of Miscreants, Street Beggars/Traders, Scavengers, and Other Criminal Elements,” is now actively underway across the territory.
“In line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act, and other relevant laws, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate evacuation of miscreants, street beggars and traders, scavengers and other criminal elements from the FCT.
“Our nation’s capital should be a secure symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements.
“To achieve this, a Joint Task Force, comprising security agencies and relevant FCT SDAs, has been deployed to apprehend any persons found begging, scavenging, loitering, or engaging in other acts inimical to the well-being of the residents,” the statement read.
The statement disclosed that arrangements had been made to profile them and hand them over to their home state governments.
“The security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government. We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja. Security is my job, your job, and our job.