FCT Minister Wike Launches ‘Operation Sweep Abuja’ to Evacuate Street Beggars, Miscreants

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated a major crackdown on street beggars, unauthorized traders, scavengers, and criminal elements in Abuja as part of a sweeping security operation ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Minister’s Directive Targets Urban Decay, Crime

According to an official statement released Wednesday by Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, the operation aims to restore Abuja’s status as “a secure symbol of pride and beauty” by removing individuals deemed threats to public order and safety.

“Our nation’s capital should not be a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements,” the statement emphasized, referencing the Abuja Environmental Protection Act as legal justification for the crackdown.

Joint Task Force Deployment

The administration has mobilized a specialized Joint Task Force comprising:

• Security personnel from multiple agencies
• Relevant FCT Social Development Authorities (SDAs)
• Environmental protection officers

This task force has been authorized to apprehend individuals engaged in:

• Street begging
• Unauthorized scavenging
• Loitering in public spaces
• Other activities considered threats to residents’ well-being

Profiling and Repatriation Process

The statement revealed that apprehended individuals will undergo profiling before being handed over to their respective state governments. This process aims to:

• Identify legitimate residents versus criminal elements
• Determine appropriate repatriation destinations
• Create records for future monitoring

“The security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government,” the statement continued. “We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja. Security is my job, your job, and our job.”

Context of the Operation

This security initiative comes amid growing concerns about:

• Rising incidents of “one chance” robberies (a form of taxi-related crime)
• Increased street begging in high-traffic areas
• Environmental degradation from scavenging activities

The operation aligns with Minister Wike’s broader agenda to transform Abuja’s urban landscape since assuming office. However, it follows recent protests by FCTA workers over unpaid salaries and hazard allowances, highlighting the administration’s competing priorities.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

While the operation has been framed as a public safety measure, human rights groups are expected to monitor its implementation for potential abuses. The FCTA has emphasized that the crackdown will be conducted within legal parameters while prioritizing the capital’s security needs.

Residents are advised to cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious activities through official channels as the operation progresses across different districts of the territory.

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