Task Force commences arrest of beggars in Abuja

The FCT Joint Task Force has begun the arrest of beggars and scavengers in Abuja in an effort to sanitize the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At least 34 people were detained following the sweep-up of Abuja environs on Monday.

The move comes after an order from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to beggars and scavengers to vacate the streets of Abuja.

The 15 beggars and 19 scavengers arrested will now be moved to a rehabilitation centre for vocational training, the FCT Administration announced.

They, however, note that anyone not ready to take part in the training will be repatriated to their respective states.

“This operation will last for the first two weeks. We will come back and assess our achievements, then we will go back if there is a need for us to continue it,” the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, stated.

Speaking on the clean-up, the Director of Security for the FCT Administration, Adamu Gwary, explained that it would be a day and night operation.

The Joint Task Force comprised of men of the Police, Military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as other governmental agencies in Nigeria.