The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has reaffirmed the ban it earlier placed on street-begging. This is coming following the recent ban on the same street begging by several northern states with thousands of beggars.
According to the FCT Minister, the call was necessary because some beggars would be thinking of migrating into Abuja thinking it’s a “safe haven” for their business.
The minister revealed that relevant agencies will not hesitate to enforce the law on anyone caught contravening the ban.
“We want to ensure that the FCT does not become a safe haven to beggars that may be coming from other states that have banned street begging”, Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Anthony Ogunleye, quoted the FCT Minister as saying.
Meanwhile, he also implied that an influx of beggars can amount to a threat to security and an increase in crime.
“All the security agencies resolved that they will work in synergy to make sure that they tackle the menace of insecurity in the city,” he added.