The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced a major security exercise dubbed Operation Sweep Abuja, aimed at removing miscreants, street beggars, illegal traders, scavengers, and other criminal elements from the city and surrounding satellite towns.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to Olayinka, the operation was initiated on the directive of the minister to address growing concerns over public safety and environmental nuisance, including the activities of “one chance” syndicates—criminals who pose as commercial transport operators to rob unsuspecting passengers.
He stated that the exercise aligns with the provisions of the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other existing regulations aimed at maintaining order in the nation’s capital.
“Our nation’s capital should be a secured symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements,” he said.
Olayinka explained that a Joint Task Force, made up of security agencies and officials from relevant FCT Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies, has been mobilised to carry out arrests of individuals found engaging in begging, scavenging, loitering, or other activities deemed harmful to the safety and well-being of residents.
“Arrangements have been made to profile them and hand them over to their various state governments.
“Security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government, we must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja,” he added.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the dedicated security lines: 08061581938 and 08032003913.
