Security forces arrest 34 beggars, scavengers in FCT

A joint detachment of security personnel on Monday rounded up 34 persons, made up of 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This development is coming after the deadline given by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The Administration disclosed that those rounded up would be taken to its rehabilitation centre for vocational training, while those who are unwilling to learn any skill will be taken back to their various states.

The operations drew personnel from the Police, Military, Department of State Services (DSS) Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary agencies.

Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu who described the operation as “a national assignment,” also addressed the operatives along with other heads of security agencies, directing that officers involved in the enforcement must be professional, but uncompromising in carrying out the Ministerial orders.

He said, “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”.

On his part, Director of Security in the FCT Administration, Adamu Gwary said the operations would be conducted day and night in order to achieve the desired results.

Represented by Dr Peter Olumuji, the director said the first day of operations had four groups. “We have the metro, which is the city centre. We have the airport road that covers the entire airport road from city gates up to Bill Clinton road.

“We also have the Kubwa axis that covers the Kubwa, Gwarinpa up to Dei Dei. And we have the last group that covers Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi. All these will be carried out simultaneously.”

He disclosed that while no beggar was arrested in the city centre because they had all gone into hiding, the operations successfully arrested 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in other locations.