34 arrested as FCT begins crackdown on beggars, scavengers

In the aftermath of the ministerial deadline given to beggars and scavengers to quit the Federal Capital Territory FCT, a joint detachment of security personnel on Monday rounded up 34 persons, made up of 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in Abuja.

According to reports, the administration said it would take those arrested to its rehabilitation centre for vocational training, while those who are unwilling to learn any skill will be taken back to their various states.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) began a clampdown on beggars and scavengers, arresting 34 individuals in Abuja, on October 28, 2024.

These individuals are made up of 15 beggars and 19 scavengers.

According to report, the administration plans to take those arrested to its rehabilitation center for vocational training.

Those unwilling to learn will be returned to their states.

This operation follows the ministerial deadline issued for them to vacate the FCT.

A joint team of security personnel, including the Police, Military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other paramilitary agencies, carried out the operation.

Commissioner of Police in FCT, Mr. Olatunji Disu described the operation as “a national assignment”.

He emphasized the need for professionalism and uncompromising enforcement.

He said: “This operation will last for the first two weeks. We will come back and assess our achievements, then we will go back if there is a need for us to continue it”.

The Director of Security, Mr. Adamu Gwary, represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, outlined the operation’s four groups: metro (city center), airport road, Kubwa axis, and Asokoro-AYA-Nyanya-Karu-Jikwoyi.

He disclosed that these operations will run simultaneously, day and night.

He said: “We have the metro, which is the city centre.

“We have the airport road that covers the entire airport road from city gates up to Bill Clinton road.

“We also have the Kubwa axis 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 added.

The operation still managed to arrest 15 beggars and 19 scavengers…

He noted that while beggars in the city center had evaded arrest by hiding, the operation still managed to arrest 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in other locations.

“We realized 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.

Mr. Kaka Bello, Head of Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, emphasized that their operation goes beyond just targeting beggars.

He disclosed that it aims at ridding the city of all nuisances, including roadside traders and illegal technicians.

Bello noted that roadside traders and all technicians who operate in illegal spaces will be evacuated during the operation.

The Director of Social Welfare, FCTA, Dr. Sani Rabe, stated that the arrested beggars will undergo profiling at the government’s rehabilitation center located in Kuchikon, Bwari Area Council.

He stated that trainable individuals will be empowered through skills training, while uncooperative ones will be repatriated to their states of origin.

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