From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Aftermath of the death of a staff member of the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, Freda Arnong, following a brutal assault by suspected “one-chance” criminals after boarding a commercial taxi in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has officially launched a comprehensive operation to rid Abuja and its satellite towns of street beggars, traders, scavengers, and the notorious “one-chance” criminal syndicate.
This move comes amid increasing concerns over security and public order in the nation’s capital. The operation, dubbed “Operation Sweep Abuja,” was announced on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka. It follows a directive from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who stressed the urgent need to restore safety and order in the city.
“In line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws, the FCT Minister has directed the immediate evacuation of miscreants, street beggars, traders, scavengers, and other criminal elements from the FCT,” Olayinka said in a statement.
“Our nation’s capital should be a secured symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, many of whom are agents of criminal elements.”
The operation involves a joint task force made up of security agencies and FCT Social Development Agencies (SDAs), tasked with apprehending anyone found begging, scavenging, loitering, or engaging in activities detrimental to the wellbeing of residents. Those apprehended will be profiled and handed over to their respective home state governments.
Wike, in a recent briefing, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the security of Abuja. “Security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government. We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja,” he had said. “Security is my job, your job, and our job.”
Olayinka in the statement said residents have been urged to cooperate with the authorities and report any suspicious activities to the dedicated hotlines: 08061581938 and 08032003913.
