By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has launched a major crackdown on street beggars, scavengers, illegal traders, and criminal elements in Abuja, in a renewed effort to restore order and security in the nation’s capital.
Announcing the initiative on Wednesday, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said the operation-dubbed Operation Sweep Abuja, reflects the minister’s zero-tolerance stance on urban nuisance and insecurity.
According to Olayinka, the move targets not only visible social vices but also criminal operations such as the notorious “one-chance” syndicates; criminals who pose as transport operators to rob unsuspecting passengers.
“This aggressive clean-up aligns with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws,” Olayinka stated. “Abuja should be a symbol of pride, not a haven for street beggars and scavengers, many of whom serve as fronts for criminal activities.”
To enforce the directive, a Joint Task Force comprising security agencies and relevant FCT departments has been deployed across the city and satellite towns.
Offenders will be arrested, profiled, and repatriated to their states of origin as part of a coordinated inter-state response.
Olayinka urged residents to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities, emphasizing that the safety of lives and property remains a top priority.
The public is encouraged to call 08061581938 or 08032003913 for emergency reports.
Under Minister Wike’s leadership, the FCTA says it is determined to transform Abuja into a model capital of security, order, and dignity.
