-Godwin Orozo
Abuja – November 14, 2024
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his recent efforts to reduce street begging in Abuja, citing security risks posed by individuals who could be acting as informants for terrorists.
During a media parley in his Abuja office on Wednesday, Wike explained that his decision was driven by safety concerns in the capital city.
Back in October, Wike announced a “war on beggars” to combat what he described as a return of “the beggar’s city” reputation for Abuja.
This move has drawn criticism from citizens concerned about the impact on the city’s vulnerable population, particularly in light of the high poverty rate.
Responding to the criticism, Wike argued that security needs must take precedence over poverty concerns. “We are talking about security threats, and they are saying it’s because of poverty,” he said.
“We should stop using poverty as an excuse for security threats.” Wike went on to emphasize that beggars could be strategically positioned as lookouts for criminal organizations.
“Do you know that you can see someone sitting by your house, pretending to be a beggar, but he’s really an informant?” he said.
“He could be giving out information about when you’re leaving or returning home.”
He pointed out that no country has completely solved poverty or provided universal employment, suggesting that security policies must consider the larger threat to public safety.
“There is nowhere in the world where you can say employment has been provided for everybody,” Wike argued. “Tell me one country that has been able to solve the problem of poverty entirely.”
The policy has sparked significant debate in the FCT, with some questioning the balance between maintaining security and addressing social welfare needs.
