Abuja, Nigeria
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has announced new measures to stop street begging, one chance to improve security in Abuja and satellite towns in the FCT.
On Wednesday, the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, directed that the complete ridding of street beggars/traders, “one chance” syndicates, scavengers, miscreants and other social nuisances in FCT.
Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the minister, said in a statement that an operation code-named “Operation Sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars/traders, scavengers and other criminal elements” has commenced in the FCT.
“In line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act, and other relevant laws, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate evacuation of miscreants, street beggars and traders, scavengers and other criminal elements from the FCT,” the statement read.
“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. Arrangements have been made to profile them and hand them over to their home state governments.”
The minister stressed that the security of the lives and properties of the residents of the nation’s capital was paramount.
“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. Report Suspicious movement to 08061581938 and 08032003913.”
