Fifteen beggars and 19 scavengers across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were arrested by security operatives on Monday.
The combined security team was made up of the police, military, State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other paramilitary agencies.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olatunji Disu, revealed that the operation and arrests followed the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Describing the operation as a ‘national assignment’, Disu said that the clampdown would last for two weeks, after which the strategies would be re-evaluated and reinvigorated.
He assured that the enforcement team would be professional and uncompromising in carrying out Wike’s order.
Also, Director, FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary, said that the operation would be conducted day and night to achieve the desired results.
Gwary, who was represented by the department’s Secretary, Command and Control, Dr Peter Olumuji, said that the beggars and scavengers were arrested in different locations across the city.
He identified the areas as Airport Road, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Dei Dei, Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi.
He, however, said that no beggar was arrested in the city centre because they had gone into hiding,
The Head of Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Kaka Bello, said that beyond beggars, the operation was also to sanitise the city.
Bello noted that roadside traders and technicians who operate at illegal places would also be evacuated in subsequent operations.
Speaking on the fate of the arrested beggars and scavengers, Director Social Welfare, FCT Administration, Dr Sani Rabe, said they would be profiled and taken to administration’s rehabilitation centre.
“Those who are trainable will be given the opportunity to learn some skills for personal empowerment, while those who are not willing to acquire skills will be repatriated to their states of origin,” he said.
Wike had on October 22 declared war against beggars, whom he said were defacing Abuja city and posing a security risk.
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