SERAP to Wike: Reverse Beggars’ Arrest Order or Face Legal Action

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to retract his threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action.

In a statement shared via its official X handle on Wednesday, SERAP argued that no individual should be criminalised based on their socio-economic status. The group urged the Minister to focus on creating opportunities to help beggars rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society, instead of resorting to arrests.

Wike’s comments were made during the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District on Tuesday. He declared a crackdown on beggars in the capital city, announcing that law enforcement would begin apprehending them from Monday.

“We have declared war. Abuja is turning into a beggar city. If you have a relative who is a beggar, please take them away by Sunday. From Monday, we will remove them. It’s embarrassing that visitors come in and the first thing they see are beggars on the road,” Wike said, adding that some beggars might even be criminals posing as destitute individuals.

SERAP, however, criticised the Minister’s approach, urging him to instead address the socio-economic issues affecting vulnerable groups in the FCT.

“The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must immediately withdraw his apparently unlawful threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action. No one should be criminalised for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities or because of their economic or social status,” SERAP stated.

The group further advised Wike to tackle the root causes of poverty and address the plight of the homeless and impoverished residents of Abuja, rather than demonising or criminalising them.