Abuja – No fewer than 210 suspected street beggars, scavengers, and petty criminals have been apprehended by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in a sweeping operation targeting illegal activities across the capital. The suspects, including 72 children allegedly trafficked from northern states, were rounded up as part of “Operation Sweep Abuja” — a renewed effort to rid the city of crime and restore order.
Operation Sweep Abuja Targets Miscreants, ‘One Chance’ Gangs
The FCTA crackdown led to the arrest of 80 men, 58 women, and 72 children involved in street begging, hawking, and scavenging. Authorities disclosed that some of the children had been brought in from states like Kano and Katsina under suspicious circumstances — reportedly rented out by their families to syndicates who profit from their daily alms.
Acting Director of Social Welfare, Mrs. Gloria Onwuka, made this known on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja, revealing disturbing details of how street begging has evolved into a full-blown exploitative business.
“Begging is now run like a business. People hire children from rural areas, load them into vehicles before dawn, and dispatch them to strategic spots across Abuja to beg,” Onwuka stated.
Rented Children, Fake Illnesses, and Deceit
According to Mrs. Onwuka, profiling of the minors revealed that most were unaware of their roles or the reason they had been brought into the city. Many were being exploited without their biological parents’ informed consent. She further alleged that some women among the beggars resorted to deception to gain public sympathy — including faking injuries and illnesses.
“We found a woman who claimed to have breast cancer. When we removed the bandage, there wasn’t a single wound on her chest,” she disclosed.
“Others strap fake injuries to their legs. These are tactics they use to trick the public.”
Children to Be Repatriated, Criminal Elements Handed Over
The 210 arrested persons are currently camped at a rehabilitation centre in Bwari. Mrs. Onwuka confirmed that the children would be returned to their home states after being properly profiled, and necessary protocols followed.
Meanwhile, those arrested for criminal activities such as pickpocketing, scavenging, and involvement in ‘one chance’ robbery have been handed over to the police for prosecution.
The FCTA has vowed to sustain the operation as part of a long-term strategy to curb urban criminality and protect vulnerable populations from syndicates profiting off fake ailments, deception, and child exploitation. As Abuja prepares for future elections and economic reforms, residents are calling for an even tougher stance on urban disorder and crime.
“This is not just a clean-up; it’s a rescue mission,” one FCTA official said.
Authorities are yet to disclose how many of the arrested beggars will face legal charges or whether criminal syndicates exploiting children will be prosecuted. More updates are expected as investigations continue.
