Wike issues Five-day quit notice to Abuja street beggars

Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has declared war on street beggars in the Federal Capital City FCC, lamenting their influx and saying criminal elements now disguise as beggars, making the job of providing security difficult.

Accordingly, he has given them till Sunday night to quit the city or risk security clampdown.

Wike spoke on Tuesday during the flag-off of the construction of an access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 to the Judges Quarters as well as the construction of internal roads within Judges Quarters in Katampe District.

He said; “In terms of security, let me say it clearly now. We have declared war. Abuja is returning to beggars’ city. I mean, if you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the roads, from next week, we will carry them.

We will take them out (of the city). I mean, it is embarrassing that people who come in, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road. Sometimes too, they may not be beggars. They may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that.

“So, I am giving a public order; from now till Sunday is the grace period. From Monday, we will pack them out. Let us know that we have a city that we can call a city. It is very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity, and people will carry plates as if they are…, maybe they will be informants.

“So please, have it at the back of your mind that it is not only infrastructure that we are providing. We want to give you good security so you can sleep well with your two eyes closed.

“I know that some of you may not be happy. Sometimes we don’t need to make you happy. Sometimes we don’t need to. What is important is that we must do our work. If you are not happy, there is nothing we can do.

The security and well-being of the people are key and that is why I have told the National Assembly members that for us, we will do everything that is required to continue to make sure that people will know that the National Assembly is doing all they can do to support. Their role is to pass the budget on time. Ours is to implement. And I know that by 2025, they will also give all their support, because I know they will always stand to approve our budget”.