The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has begun a crackdown on all the beggars, illegal traders, miscreants and scavengers operating within the FCT.
Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the FCT Minister said the crackdown has been launched across Abuja and its satellite towns.
According to Olayinka, the FCT Administration in an exercise tagged Operation Sweep Abuja will ensure that the territory is rid of all forms of nuisance.
He said the crackdown exercise would be conducted in line with a directive recently issued by the Minister.
In addition, Olayinka said miscreants such as one chance operators who specialise in robbing and attacking passengers will also be targeted.
Olayinka noted that the exercise would be coordinated in accordance with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws.
He said, “Our nation’s capital should be a secure symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements.”
This crackdown exercise, Wike’s aide said will be achieved through collaboration with a Joint Task Force, comprising security agencies and relevant FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies.
The security agencies and their operatives would be deployed to apprehend any persons found begging, scavenging, loitering or engaging in other acts inimical to the security and well-being of the residents.
He added that all necessary measures and arrangements have been made to profile those arrested by the operatives.
He noted that all those arrested would be further handed over to their various state governments.
“Security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government; we must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja,” Olayinka stated.
Residents of the FCT have also been urged to remain security conscious and ensure that they report any suspicious movement to the appropriate authorities or call 08061581938 and 08032003913.