The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched an extensive operation aimed at removing beggars, scavengers, and street vendors from Abuja, with the task force detaining 34 individuals on Monday in several areas across the capital.
This decisive action follows a ministerial directive that ordered such individuals to vacate the city as part of a broader plan to keep the Federal Capital Territory orderly and free of unauthorized street activities.
A joint task force carried out the operation, with members from the Police, Military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary agencies coordinating efforts.
Their sweep targeted four key areas of the capital: the bustling city center, the main route from the airport into the city, the busy Kubwa-Gwarinpa area, and the Asokoro-Nyanya-Karu corridor, a heavily trafficked zone where street activities are common.
In his comments, FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, framed the initiative as a matter of national importance. He urged officers to handle the assignment with professionalism and determination.
“We will come back and assess our achievements, then we will go back if there is a need for us to continue it,” Disu stated, emphasizing a strategy of continual assessment and potential follow-up.
The Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, explained that the FCTA is committed to a two-week, around-the-clock enforcement schedule.
Represented by Peter Olumuji, Gwary outlined the areas of focus for the operation, saying, “We have the metro, which is the city centre. We have the airport road that covers the entire airport road from city gates up to Bill Clinton road.
We also have the Kubwa axis that covers the Kubwa, Gwarinpa up to Dei Dei. And we have the last group that covers Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi. All these will be carried out simultaneously.”
As the operation got underway, many beggars reportedly left the city center in response to the directive.
However, some remained despite the warnings, with 15 beggars and 19 scavengers apprehended across multiple zones.
“We realised that most of them heard the voice of the minister. Notwithstanding, we have one or two who are still trying to test the waters and we have been able to apprehend them. We also have 15 beggars and 19 scavengers that we have picked up in various sectors and we are still counting,” Gwary added.
The detainees will be taken to the FCTA’s rehabilitation center located in Kuchikon, within the Bwari Area Council.
According to Director of Social Welfare for the FCTA, Dr. Sani Rabe, the individuals will be profiled and assessed to determine their next steps.
Those expressing a willingness to gain new skills will be enrolled in vocational training programs aimed at empowering them for future employment.
However, individuals who choose not to participate in the rehabilitation programs may be returned to their home states.
Head of Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Kaka Bello, emphasized that this operation is part of a wider initiative to eliminate unauthorized street activities, including vendors and technicians using public spaces as informal workstations.
