ABUJA: In the aftermath of the ministerial deadline given to beggars and scavengers to quit the Federal Capital Territory FCT, a joint detachment of security personnel on Monday rounded up 34 persons, made up of 15 beggars and 19 scavengers.

The Administration said it would take those arrested to its rehabilitation centre for vocational training, while those who are unwilling to learn any skill will be taken back to their various states.

The operations drew personnel from the Police, Military, Department of State Services DSS, Nigeria Security ans Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, and other paramilitary agencies.

Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu who described the operation as “a national assignment”, also addressed the operatives along other heads of security agencies, directing that officers involved in the enforcement must be professional, but uncompromising in carrying out the Ministerial orders.

He said; “This operation will last for the first two weeks. We will come back and assess our achievements, then we will go back if there is a need for us to continue it”.

On his part, Director of Security in the FCT Administration, Adamu Gwary said the operations would be conducted day and night in order to achieve the desired results.

Represented by Dr Peter Olumuji, the director said the first day of operations had four groups. “We have the metro, which is the city centre. We have the airport road that covers the entire airport road from city gates up to Bill Clinton road. We also have the Kubwa axis that covers the Kubwa, Gwarinpa up to Dei Dei. And we have the last group that covers Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi. All these will be carried out simultaneously”.

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He disclosed that while no beggar was arrested in the city centre, because they had all gone into hiding, the operations successfully arrested 15 beggars and 19 scavengers in other locations.

“We realized that most of them actually heard the voice of the minister. Notwithstanding, we have one or two who are still trying to test the waters and we have been able to apprehend them. We also have 15 beggars and 19 scavengers that we have picked up in various sectors and we are still counting”, he added.

Head of Enforcement at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEBP, Kaka Bello said the operation is not just about beggars, but ridding the city of every nuisance.

Bello noted that roadside traders and all technicians who operate in illegal spaces will be evacuated during the operation.

On the fate of the arrested beggars, the Director Social Welfare, FCTA, Dr. Sani Rabe, said they will be taken to government’s rehabilitation center located at Kuchikon, Bwari Area council, where they will be properly profiled.

According to him, those who are trainable would be given the opportunity to learn some skills for personal empowerment, while those who are not willing to acquire skills would be repatriated to their states of origin.