FCT begins clampdown on Abuja street traders, beggars

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched a sweeping crackdown on beggars, scavengers, and street vendors, with 34 individuals detained on Monday across various parts of Abuja.

This action followed a recent ministerial directive ordering such individuals to leave the FCT.

The operation, conducted by a joint task force comprising the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary agencies, targeted four major areas: the City Centre, the Airport Road, the Kubwa-Gwarinpa area, and the Asokoro-Nyanya-Karu corridor.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the clampdown as a “national assignment,” directing officers to enforce the mandate with professionalism and resolve.

“We will come back and assess our achievements, then, we will go back if there is a need for us to continue it,” Disu stated.

According to the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, the FCTA plans to carry out the operation both day and night over two weeks.

Gwary, represented by Peter Olumuji, said, “We have the metro, which is the City Centre. We have the Airport Road that covers the entire airport road from the city gates up to Bill Clinton Road.

“We also have the Kubwa area that covers the Kubwa, Gwarinpa up to Dei Dei. And we have the last group that covers Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi. All these will be carried out simultaneously.”

He noted that 15 beggars and 19 scavengers were arrested across other zones, adding that many beggars in the city centre had gone into hiding.

“We realised that most of them heard the voice of the minister. Notwithstanding, we have one or two who are still trying to test the waters and we have been able to apprehend them.

“We also have 15 beggars and 19 scavengers that we have picked up in various sectors and we are still counting”, he added.

the arrested individuals would be taken to the FCTA’s rehabilitation centre in Kuchikon, Bwari Area Council, where they would be profiled and assessed.

Those willing to acquire vocational skills will receive training aimed at personal empowerment, while those unwilling to participate will be returned to their states of origin, according to the Director of Social Welfare for the FCTA, Dr. Sani Rabe.

The Head of Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Kaka Bello emphasised that the operation is part of a larger initiative to rid the capital of street nuisances, including unauthorised roadside vendors and technicians occupying public spaces.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will float a new security scheme to flush beggars out of Abuja City.

Wike disclosed this at the inauguration of the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja on Monday.

He said that the move was to rid the city of beggars, who have taken over major streets of the nation’s capital city.

“Stay in your state and beg. The FCT cannot be the centre of beggars. It is the only city we have, to showcase to the world. We will not allow it.

The minister, who noted that some people chose to beg, added that the FCT Administration would not allow that in the city.

“If you want to beg, go to the villages, but leave the city centre.

“The city must be clean, and we are ready for criminals,” he added.

Wike explained that the measure was a part of the measures to improve security in the FCT, adding that security agencies were doing their best to keep the residents safe.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Wike had on October 22 declared war against beggars, whom he said were defacing Abuja city and posing security risk.

The minister had warned all beggars to leave the city or be flushed out