By Daniel Tyokua
Fear has gripped the Federal Capital Territory Administration over the influx of beggars into the territory from states with security challenges.
The FCT Social Development Secretariat linked the development to the unending insecurity in some part of the North, describing it as overwhelming.
The Director, Social Welfare Department of the Secretariat, Sani Amar disclosed this on Tuesday when participants of the senior executive course 44, 2022 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos visited the FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Bwari.
He also frowned at the United Nation’s human rights act which prohibits the detention of arrested persons beyond three days, noting that such provisions has also served as catalyst for the swelling number of beggars in the city.
The Director explained that the secretariat has been struggling to keep the streets of Abuja free of beggars and destitute lately, but noticed that its efforts has not yielded the desired result.
He expressed concerns that before now, its officials usually arrest between 20-25 beggars during their routine sanitation exercise. The situation he added, has changed drastically as officials of the Secretariat now arrest over 100 beggars and destitute in one single operation.
While calling for the need for government and the council of states to act fast by pushing for a legislation that will criminalize begging, he added that if punitive actions are meted at those who hide under the cover of begging to defraud innocent Nigerians, the menace will stop.
He, therefore called on neighboring states, particularly those at its northern borders to put in place policies that will discourage the brewing of street begging as the FCT ends up being at the receiving end of the consequences of the menace.
“What we notice is that the recent influx of beggars in the city is so overwhelming. In a day before, when we go round, we apprehend about 20 people, but now in one spot we arrest 100 plus”
