By Daniel Tyokua
The Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has evacuated more than 800 destitute persons and street beggars across Abuja.
Head of Enforcement at the Secretariat, Mrs. Ukachi Adebayo, disclosed this at the weekend during the relaunch of “Operation Sweep Abuja.”
Operation Sweep Abuja was first launched in 2025 under the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to restore order in the territory.
Adebayo said those evacuated were profiled and rehabilitated rather than abandoned.
“After evacuating them, we profile them and take them to our centre, where we care for and train them before reintegrating them into society,” she said.
She, however, acknowledged that the agency faces several operational challenges in carrying out the exercise.
During a sensitization visit to an unauthorized settlement in Apo/Wasa, the community Chairman, Garzali Umar, expressed support for the operation. He said many transient occupants in the area were unknown to residents and security agencies.
Umar added that the community had repeatedly raised concerns over suspicious movements and the increasing use of informal settlements by criminal elements.
