The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that street beggars will no longer be tolerated in Abuja, beginning next week.
He emphasized that the increasing presence of beggars on the city’s streets has become an embarrassment and is contributing to insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Wike noted that while some individuals are genuine beggars, others are criminals posing as such, further exacerbating security risks in Abuja. He issued a public notice giving beggars and their associates until Sunday to leave the streets voluntarily. After this grace period, authorities will begin a citywide crackdown, removing them by force starting Monday.
The Minister made these remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of a road construction project in the Katampe District, stating, “Abuja is returning to being overrun by beggars. It’s embarrassing that the first thing visitors see are beggars on the roads. Some of these beggars could be criminals. We will not allow this.”
Wike assured residents that the government’s efforts to clean up the city are part of a broader plan to improve security, adding that infrastructural development will go hand-in-hand with these security measures.
He also mentioned that the ongoing road project is expected to be completed by May 2025, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to addressing infrastructure and security concerns across all sectors.
He said; “In terms of security, let me say it clearly now. We have declared war. Abuja is returning to beggars’ city. I mean, if you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the roads, from next week, we will carry them. We will take them out (of the city). I mean, it is embarrassing that people who come in, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road. Sometimes too, they may not be beggars. They may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that.
“So, I am giving a public order; from now till Sunday is the grace period. From Monday, we will pack them out. Let us know that we have a city that we can call a city. It is very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity, and people will carry plates as if they are…, maybe they will be informants.
“So please, have it at the back of your mind that it is not only infrastructure that we are providing. We want to give you good security so you can sleep well with your two eyes closed.
I know that some of you may not be happy. Sometimes we don’t need to make you happy. Sometimes we don’t need to. What is important is that we must do our work. If you are not happy, there is nothing we can do. The security and well-being of the people are key and that is why I have told the National Assembly members that for us, we will do everything that is required to continue to make sure that people will know that the National Assembly is doing all they can do to support. Their role is to pass the budget on time. Ours is to implement. And I know that by 2025, they will also give all their support, because I know they will always stand to approve our budget”.
Wike disclosed that the road project will be ready by May next year, adding that his administration will continue to touch other sectors and as well carry the Area Councils along in developments.
