Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), don declare war on beggars for Abuja. During the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District of the FCT on Tuesday, Wike threaten say enforcement agents go start apprehending beggars from Monday.
Wike talk say, “Abuja dey turn into beggar city. If you know you get sister or brother wey dey beg, please, from next week, we go take them away. E dey embarrass us say people go come in and the first thing dem go see na just beggars on the road…. Sometimes, dem fit be criminals wey dey pretend say dem be beggars. We no go allow that. So, I dey give you public holiday from now until Sunday. From Monday, we go remove them.”
The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) don warn Wike to withdraw his threat to arrest beggars or face legal action. SERAP talk say no one suppose be criminalised for their socio-economic status, and instead, Wike should provide opportunities to help dem rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
SERAP post on their official X handle say, “The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must immediately withdraw his apparently unlawful threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action. Rather than arresting and cracking down on beggars, Mr Wike should provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into society while respecting their dignity and human rights.”
