In its ongoing Operation Sweep Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has arrested 210 beggars in various locations within the Nation’s capital.
Mrs. Gloria Onwuka, Acting Director of Social Welfare at the FCTA, disclosed this on Thursday after an operation which started on Monday, targeting miscreants, street beggars, traders, scavengers, one change syndicates, and other criminals across the city.
“The 210 detainees, including 80 men, 58 women, and 72 children, are currently being held at the Bwari Rehabilitation Centre,” Mrs. Onwuka said.
The Acting Director expressed concern about a growing trend of begging being run like a business in the FCT.
She said, “Begging is now run like a business. People will go and hire children from other states, like Kano and Katsina, put them in vehicles very early in the morning, come to Abuja, and start begging.
“The families they are hiring these children from don’t even know that this is what they are using their children to do.
“We have caught so many of them like that.
“Some beggars even fake injuries. Some of the beggars will even tie a bandage on their legs, claiming injuries, but it’s all lies. For example, a woman claimed she had breast cancer and covered her chest with a bandage, but when we removed it, there was no wound”.
The Acting Director explained that some scavengers and members of criminal syndicates were handed over to the police for further action.
According to Mrs. Onwuka, the beggars are being profiled before being sent back to their home states.
Also commenting, Director of Security Services at FCTA, Mr. Damy Gwary, said the operation had covered major areas including the City Centre, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Asokoro, Garki, and Wuse, noted that beggars and criminal elements are a threat to security and a nuisance to residents.
Represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary of the FCTA Command and Control Centre, Mr. Gwary said the operation aims to rid Abuja of all security threats.
On his part, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Commissioner of Police and security agencies to continue the operation until the city is safe from criminal activities.
“The police will provide updates on the progress as the operation continues,” he added.
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