FCTA Commences Major Crackdown on Beggars, Scavengers; Arrests 34

Following the expiration of the FCT Administration’s directive for beggars to vacate the streets of Abuja on Sunday, a large-scale enforcement operation was launched on Monday targeting beggars, scavengers, and other destitute individuals.

During the operation, which was closely observed by our correspondent, 15 beggars and 19 scavengers were apprehended.

The operation involved a combined team from the police, military, DSS, NSCDC, and other paramilitary agencies. Organized into four groups, they were dispatched across various locations in the city center to locate and remove individuals living under bridges and in tunnels.

FCT Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu, describing the mission as “a national assignment,” instructed officers to remain professional and firm in implementing the ministerial directive. He added that the initial phase of the operation would span two weeks, after which a review of the strategy would take place.

“We will reassess our progress and determine if there’s a need to continue,” Disu stated.

On the first day of the crackdown, Adamu Gwari, Director of the FCT Security Services Department, outlined plans to conduct round-the-clock operations for optimal impact. Represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, he described the four groups involved in the operation.

“We have the metro group covering the city center, a team for the airport road from the city gates up to Bill Clinton Drive, another group covering the Kubwa axis extending to Dei Dei, and the final team operating in areas like Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi. These groups conducted operations simultaneously,” Olumuji explained.

He disclosed that while no beggars were found in the city center—likely due to the ongoing crackdown—teams managed to apprehend 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in various other locations.

“We believe most of them are aware of the minister’s orders. Still, some are testing the waters, and we’ve successfully apprehended these individuals. So far, we’ve counted 15 beggars and 19 scavengers, with numbers still rising,” Gwari said.

Kaka Bello, Head of Enforcement for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEBP), emphasized that the operation aims to address not just beggars but also roadside traders and technicians operating in unauthorized areas to restore order to the city.

Dr. Sani Rabe, Director of Social Welfare at the FCTA, stated that the detained beggars would be sent to a government rehabilitation center in Kuchikon, Bwari Area Council, for profiling. Those deemed trainable would be offered skill acquisition opportunities for self-empowerment, while others unwilling to participate in training programs would be repatriated to their home states.