The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, last week declared war on beggars, stating that enforcement agents will begin to apprehend beggars from Monday (today).
Wike disclosed this during the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of an access road from Ring 1 by N16 to Judges’ quarters and roads within the quarters in Katampe District of Abuja on Tuesday.
He said, “Let me state clearly that we have declared war; Abuja is turning into a beggar city.
“If you know you have a sister or brother who is a beggar, please, from next week, we’ll carry them. We’ll take them out. It is embarrassing that people will come in and the first thing they’ll see are just beggars on the road
“Sometimes, they may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that. So, I’m giving you a public holiday from now until Sunday. From Monday, we will pack them out.”
However, the Chairman of Non-Governmental Organization, Long Term Solution for Destitute Initiative Dr Saleh Ibrahim has called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike over the ultimatum handed over to beggars to vacate the streets of Abuja.
He said:
“However, while we are commending the FCT Minister for his “courage” we shouldn’t ignore the human rights angle of the issue. We shouldn’t treat a complex issue superficially. Cosmetic approach to public policy usually makes a bad situation worse. Wike was not the first Minister to expel beggers”
The statement further said former FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai had done the same thing before, but the beggars still floored back to Abuja.”
A public order was issued by the FCT Minister giving the beggars five days to leave the Federal Capital Territory, the last day was yesterday Sunday 27 of October 2024.
