By Patrick Idowu
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has apprehended 210 street beggars as part of its ongoing “Operation Sweep Abuja,” aimed at ridding the city of miscreants, street traders, scavengers, and other criminal elements.
The crackdown, which began on Monday, is being carried out on the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Acting Director of the Social Welfare Department at the FCTA Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Gloria Onwuka, made this known in Abuja on Thursday, marking the end of day four of the exercise.
According to her, the 210 arrested beggars comprised 80 men, 58 women, and 72 children. They have been taken to the Bwari Rehabilitation Centre for profiling and will be deported to their respective states.
Onwuka revealed that many of the children found begging were trafficked from Kano, Katsina, and other northern states, while some women caught begging with children were not the children’s biological mothers.
“Begging is now run like a business,” she said. “People rent children from rural areas, bring them to Abuja early in the morning, and use them to beg. Many of the families have no idea their children are being exploited this way.”
She added that some beggars stage injuries or fabricate illnesses to deceive the public.
“A woman we caught claimed to have breast cancer, but when we unwrapped the bandage, there was no wound at all,” she said.
Director of the FCTA Security Services Department, Mr. Damy Gwary, also commented on the operation. Represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary of the FCTA Command and Control Centre, Gwary said the operation has so far covered major areas including the city centre, Kubwa, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Garki, and Wuse.
He described the activities of beggars and scavengers as a serious security concern and a nuisance to residents.
He noted that the FCT Commissioner of Police, under Wike’s directive, would continue to provide updates as the operation continues.
“The operation will be sustained until all forms of security threats are eradicated from the territory,” he added.
