FCTA Begins Evacuation of Street Beggars, Miscreants in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced a major operation to evacuate street beggars, miscreants, scavengers, and other social nuisances from Abuja and its satellite towns.

The exercise, which began on Wednesday, follows a directive from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, aimed at sanitising the nation’s capital and restoring order.

The Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, disclosed in a statement that the enforcement operation, code-named “Operation Sweep Abuja of Miscreants, Street Beggars/Traders, Scavengers and Other Criminal Elements,” is being implemented in line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other existing laws.

According to the statement, a Joint Task Force made up of security agencies and relevant departments of the FCTA has been deployed across the territory to arrest individuals found engaging in street begging, illegal trading, scavenging, loitering, and other activities considered threats to public order.

“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,” the statement read.

The FCTA said arrangements have been made to profile those apprehended and hand them over to the governments of their states of origin. The administration stressed that ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the FCT remains a top priority.

“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,” the statement added.