FCTA Condemns Use Of Beggars, Destitutes As Drug Couriers

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed concern over the growing use of beggars and destitutes by criminal syndicates to transport illicit drugs and facilitate criminal activities across Abuja.

Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji, disclosed this during the ongoing enforcement exercise, Operation Sweep, aimed at removing beggars, scavengers, and other vulnerable persons from the streets of the nation’s capital.

Olumuji said intelligence reports revealed that criminal elements were exploiting physically challenged persons and street beggars as couriers for illicit substances, particularly during nighttime operations.

“The sad thing is that, as vulnerable as they have become, they have also become useful tools in the hands of criminal elements,” he said.

“From intelligence gathered over time, they use them to courier illicit drugs, especially at night. Who would suspect that a physically challenged person could be transporting illicit drugs? But they use them for such activities.”

He further revealed that some of the individuals allegedly serve as informants for criminal gangs operating within the FCT, thereby posing additional security threats to residents.

According to him, enforcement officials have also faced resistance during some operations, with suspects reportedly attacking personnel using walking canes and other mobility aids.

The development comes as the FCTA intensifies efforts to sanitise the city and address growing public concerns over street begging, homelessness, and insecurity.

Head of FCT Enforcement, Ulkacha Adebayo, disclosed that 54 persons – comprising 45 adults and nine children – were evacuated during Monday’s operation.

She added that the administration had removed a total of 889 destitutes from different parts of Abuja within the last three months.

“In the past three months, we were able to evacuate about 835 persons. Adding the latest figure brings the total to about 889,” she said.

Adebayo explained that those evacuated were being profiled and taken to government rehabilitation centres, where they would receive welfare support and vocational training.

She noted that the exercise forms part of the FCT Administration’s broader efforts to maintain orderliness and strengthen security across the capital city.

Areas already covered under the operation include Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse, and Gwarinpa, while officials stated that the exercise would continue on a sustained basis under the directive of the FCT Minister.

Residents have continued to call for a balanced approach that combines strict enforcement with social intervention programmes capable of addressing poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, and unemployment.

Authorities insist that beyond restoring sanity to the city, the ongoing operation is also aimed at rehabilitating vulnerable persons and preventing criminal networks from exploiting them for illegal activities.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji