Beggars in Abuja have voiced strong objections to the ongoing crackdown by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which they claim unfairly targets their community.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had instructed the FCTA to carry out a comprehensive clean-up of the capital city, specifically ordering beggars off the streets by last Sunday or face arrest. The clampdown on beggars, scavengers, and others began Monday, with officials noting that the operation will continue for two weeks.
In response to the crackdown, several beggars, particularly those with disabilities, staged a protest yesterday at the head office of the Media Trust Group, which owns Trust newspaper, Trust TV, and Trust Radio. The protest was organized under the Arewa Freedom of the Blind Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Abuja chapter.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Auwal I. Alhassan criticized the FCTA for its approach, stressing that officials failed to consult or provide alternative solutions for those affected. “If you want to remove people from the streets, especially those with disabilities, there should be proper communication.
Many of us had jobs before, but the government dismissed us. Now they’re forcing us off the streets without offering us any proper shelter. Are we not Nigerians? We have equal rights to life,” he asserted. Alhassan went on to add that, aside from SERAP, no non-governmental organizations, civil societies, or religious groups had extended support to them in their time of need.
Alhassan further alleged that those arrested were detained under dire conditions at the FCT Rehabilitation Centre in Bwari, where they reportedly lack basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
“They treated us like animals, chasing us down and detaining over 200 of our members in the rehabilitation centre. We have a constitutional right to reside wherever we choose. Many of us are graduates and holders of NCEs, but the government does not provide us with employment, treating us as though we’re disposable. Meanwhile, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers roam freely. What’s more troubling is that military personnel were involved in this operation when they should be addressing the real security threats facing our country,” he remarked.
