Abuja’s FCTA initiates a crackdown on beggars, scavengers, and street vendors, detaining 34 individuals across the city in compliance with a new ministerial directive.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated a large-scale operation aimed at removing beggars, scavengers, and street vendors from Abuja’s public spaces, detaining 34 individuals on Monday as part of a citywide sweep.

This enforcement action follows a recent directive mandating the departure of unauthorised individuals from the capital, targeting areas prone to high street activity.

Also read: EFCC arrests nine for internet fraud in Abuja

The operation, conducted by a joint task force consisting of the Police, Military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and additional paramilitary groups, covered key regions, including Abuja’s city centre, the airport road, the Kubwa-Gwarinpa axis, and the Asokoro-Nyanya-Karu corridor.

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Olatunji Disu, described the mission as a “national assignment,” calling on officers to uphold professionalism and commitment in enforcing the mandate.

“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, underlining the phased approach to the operation.

Adamu Gwary, FCTA’s Director of Security, elaborated that the crackdown will proceed day and night over the next two weeks to cover all major corridors.

Represented by Peter Olumuji, Gwary explained, “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 the group covering Asokoro, Aya, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi. All these will be carried out simultaneously.”

The initial sweep led to the arrest of 15 beggars and 19 scavengers. Many beggars, however, appear to have heeded the minister’s warning and retreated from the city centre.

“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,” Gwary noted.

Those apprehended will be sent to the FCTA’s rehabilitation centre in Kuchikon, Bwari Area Council. At the centre, individuals will be profiled and evaluated for potential vocational training to aid in their personal empowerment.

Those unwilling to participate in the programme will be repatriated to their respective states, according to Dr. Sani Rabe, Director of Social Welfare for the FCTA.

Head of Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Kaka Bello, highlighted that the crackdown is part of broader measures to eliminate street nuisances, including unlicensed vendors and technicians occupying public spaces.

This move aims to create a safer, more organised city environment in Abuja’s fast-developing urban landscape.

The FCTA’s rigorous approach reflects a commitment to restoring public order, ensuring a cleaner capital, and addressing social issues through both enforcement and empowerment.