FCTA Launches Crackdown On Beggars ,Traders And Miscreants In Abuja

Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory have launched a major operation to remove street beggars, traders, scavengers, and criminal groups from Abuja and surrounding towns.

The move, ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is aimed at restoring order and safety in the capital.

The operation, tagged Operation Sweep Abuja, began this week and targets individuals involved in loitering, street trading, begging, and other unlawful activities that have become common in the city. A combined task force made up of security agencies and government officials has been deployed to enforce the directive.

According to a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, the crackdown follows the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other legal provisions. He said the streets of Abuja should reflect the dignity of a national capital, not serve as a base for street dwellers and criminal elements.

The task force has been given the mandate to arrest anyone found violating the rules. Those detained will be profiled and returned to their states of origin. The government says this action is necessary to reduce security risks and maintain public order across the FCT.

Officials believe many of those on the streets are connected to wider criminal activities, including the notorious “one-chance” robbery gangs that target unsuspecting residents through fake taxis and buses.

The FCT administration insists that the safety of residents remains a top priority. In the statement, residents were also encouraged to support the effort by reporting suspicious activities. Two emergency numbers—08061581938 and 08032003913—have been released for this purpose.

This latest campaign adds to the Wike-led FCT administration’s broader effort to clean up the city, enforce laws, and improve public safety as Abuja continues to grapple with rising population and urban challenges.