Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a major crackdown on miscreants, street beggars, illegal traders, scavengers, and other criminal elements in the nation’s capital as part of the renewed efforts to restore order and security.
The senior special assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT minister, Mr. Lere Olayinka, announced the operation in a statement he issued yesterday in Abuja.
He said the exercise, tagged: ‘Operation Sweep Abuja,’ followed a directive from the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to eliminate all forms of nuisance, including the notorious ‘one chance’ robbery syndicates.
“One chance” refers to a criminal tactic where robbers pose as commercial transport operators, luring passengers into their vehicles before robbing them of their valuables.
Olayinka emphasised that the operation aligns with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws to maintain the city’s security and cleanliness.
“Our nation’s capital should be a secured symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements,” he said.
He disclosed that a Joint Task Force, comprising security agencies and relevant FCTA departments, has been deployed to arrest individuals engaged in begging, scavenging, loitering, or any activity threatening residents’ safety.
“Arrangements have been made to profile them and hand them over to their various state governments,” Olayinka added.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to security, he stated, “The security of lives and properties of FCT residents is of paramount importance to the government. We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja.”
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the following emergency numbers, 08061581938 and 08032003913.
