Wike: Abuja turning into beggar city — they’ll be removed from Monday

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says beggars will be removed from the streets of Abuja, the nation’s capital city, from next week.

Describing the situation as “embarrassing”, the minister said the presence of roadside beggars is a poor reflection of the city and a security threat.

“In terms of security let me state clearly now, we have declared war,” Wike said.

“Abuja is turning into a beggar city. If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road, please from next week we will carry them. We will take them out.

“It is embarrassing that people will 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’m giving you a public order from now to Sunday, from Monday we will pack them out. Let us know that we have a city that we can call a city, it’s very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity and people will carry plates as if they are (beggars), they may be informants.”

The minister noted that his duties expand beyond infrastructure, saying security is also at the core of his responsibilities.

Wike also said no less than 25 schools have been marked for renovation in Abuja to improve quality education.