The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun the evacuation of street beggars and miscreants from the nation’s capital.

The move followed a directive from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that the satellite towns in the FCT be completely rid of street beggars and traders, “one chance” syndicates, scavengers, miscreants, and other social nuisances.

Disclosing this in a statement on Wednesday, Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said the operation code-named “Operation Sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars/traders, scavengers and other criminal elements” had commenced in the FCT.

“In line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act, and other relevant laws, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate evacuation of miscreants, street beggars and traders, scavengers and other criminal elements from the FCT.

“Our nation’s capital should be a secure symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements.

“To achieve this, a Joint Task Force, comprising security agencies and relevant FCT SDAs, has been deployed to apprehend any persons found begging, scavenging, loitering, or engaging in other acts inimical to the well-being of the residents,” the statement read.

The statement disclosed that arrangements had been made to profile them and hand them over to their home state governments.

“The security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government. We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja. Security is my job, your job, and our job.