Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared war on beggars in Abuja.
The development comes after Daily Trust’s lead story on how beggars were “taking over” the capital city.
Street begging in Abuja is visible at major intersections, malls, airports, parks, markets and places of worship.
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Beggars range from elderly individuals to children, and some are seen with placards detailing their plight, while some carry infants, capitalising on the sympathy that comes from showing vulnerability.
The number of these beggars has continued to rise despite the intervention of the relevant agencies of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration.
While the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) is saddled with the responsibility of cleaning the city, including the removal of beggars from the streets, the FCT Social Development Secretariat is responsible for the rehabilitation of those removed from the streets.
But investigation by Weekend Trust showed that the two government agencies have been overwhelmed by the growing number of street beggars in the country’s capital.
Some of the women that beg with their kids told Weekend Trust that they were widows displaced by the unrest in some northern states.
Sakinatu Bello from Nasarawa State said before now, she lived with her husband in Funtua town in Katsina State, but had to relocate after her husband was abducted.
Speaking during the official commencement of the construction of the access road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by N16, to Judges Quarters, in Katampe District, Abuja, on Tuesday, Wike said the move to evacuate them was necessary over concerns that Abuja was turning into a beggars’ city.
“Let me say clearly now, we have declared war on beggars because Abuja is returning to beggar’s city. If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road, do something, because from next week, we will carry them; we will take them out of the city.”
“It is embarrassing that people who come into Abuja, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road,” he said.
Wike further said that sometimes the supposed beggars may not be beggars but criminals pretending to be beggars.
“We will not allow that. So, I am giving a public order from now till Sunday. From Monday, we will pack them out. It’s very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity, and people will carry plates begging, and might be informants,” Wike said.
He explained that the move was to ensure maximum security so that residents could sleep with their two eyes closed.
He noted some people may not be happy with the decision, saying, “sometimes we don’t need to make you happy.
“What is important is that we must do our work. If you are not happy, there is nothing we can do, but for the well-being of the people, it is key.”
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