The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to retract his threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal repercussions.
In a statement posted on their official X account, #SerapNigeria, the organization emphasized that individuals should not be criminalized based on their socio-economic conditions. They urged Wike to focus on providing opportunities that would enable these individuals to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
Credible News recalls that Nyesom Wike had issued a stern warning to street beggars in Abuja, giving them until Sunday night to vacate the city or face strict enforcement measures.
Wike expressed his frustration over the increasing presence of beggars, claiming that criminal elements now disguise as beggars, complicating efforts to maintain security.
READ ALSO : Wike declares war on street begging, sets deadline for Abuja beggars to leave
During the flag-off ceremony for the construction of access roads at the Judges Quarters in Katampe District on Tuesday, Wike stated: “We have declared war. Abuja is becoming a beggars’ city. It’s embarrassing that the first thing people see when they enter the city are beggars on the roads. We cannot allow this to continue.”
Wike emphasized that not all beggars may be genuine, hinting that some could be involved in criminal activities under the guise of begging. “We are fighting insecurity, and these individuals might be informants. From next week, we will begin removing them from the streets,” he warned.
In response, SERAP stated, “The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must immediately withdraw his apparently unlawful threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action. No one should be criminalized for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities or because of their economic or social status.”
The organization called on Wike to tackle the root causes of poverty and to respect the dignity and human rights of marginalized individuals instead of demonizing them. They urged the minister to focus on addressing homelessness and poverty in Abuja rather than implementing punitive measures against those affected.
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