The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a sweeping operation to rid Abuja of street beggars, illegal traders, scavengers, and other criminal elements.
The exercise follows a directive from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who emphasized the need to restore the capital city’s dignity and security.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, announced the launch of “Operation Sweep Abuja,” a joint security initiative targeting miscreants, “one-chance” syndicates, and other public nuisances. The operation, backed by the Abuja Environmental Protection Act, involves a task force comprising security agencies and FCT departments.
“Our nation’s capital should be a symbol of pride and beauty, not a haven for street beggars and scavengers, many of whom are linked to criminal activities,” the statement read. The task force has been mandated to arrest individuals found begging, loitering, or engaging in unlawful activities.
The FCTA disclosed that apprehended persons would be profiled and repatriated to their home states in collaboration with state governments. The minister reiterated that the safety and well-being of Abuja residents remain a top priority, vowing to sustain the operation until the city is completely sanitized.
This move comes as part of broader efforts to enhance security and urban management in the FCT, following recent concerns over rising crime and environmental degradation. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security operatives during the exercise.