The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced that enforcement agents will begin removing roadside beggars from Abuja streets starting Monday, October 27, 2024. The minister issued a stern warning to individuals involved in street begging to vacate the roads or face arrest.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of access roads to newly established judges’ quarters in Katampe, Abuja, Wike expressed concern over the increasing number of beggars in the city. He described the situation as alarming, noting that it poses a significant security risk to the metropolis.
“The presence of beggars on the streets of Abuja is becoming a serious security concern. We cannot allow this to continue, and by Monday, enforcement agents will start picking them up,” Wike said.
He urged the affected individuals to leave the streets before the ultimatum expires, adding that his administration is committed to restoring order and improving security in the nation’s capital.
Wike also spoke about the revocation of land allocated to Julius Berger in Katampe, highlighting his determination to take bold decisions for the benefit of Abuja’s development. His comments came during the official flag-off of the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters, a project for which 70% of the funding has already been released.
According to Wike, the construction project, approved by the Federal Executive Council last month, will see 40 residential units constructed for judges—20 for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 10 for the Court of Appeal.
The event, attended by dignitaries including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, underscores the FCT administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and security.
