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Wike, to retract his threat to arrest beggars in Abuja, warning of potential legal action if the directive is not withdrawn.
In a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday, SERAP emphasized that individuals should not be criminalized for their socio-economic status. Instead, the organization urged the Minister to create opportunities for beggars to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
This comes after Wike, during the flag-off ceremony for road construction in the Katampe District on Tuesday, announced a crackdown on beggars, threatening that enforcement agents would begin arresting them from Monday.
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Wike expressed concern about the growing number of beggars in the capital, stating, “Abuja is turning into a beggar city. From next week, we will take them away. It is embarrassing that the first thing people see are beggars on the road.”
In response, SERAP urged the Minister to focus on addressing the root causes of poverty and the socio-economic challenges faced by the marginalized, rather than resorting to criminalization.
“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 criminalised for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities or because of their economic or social status.
“Rather than arresting and cracking down on beggars, Mr Wike should provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into society while respecting their dignity and human rights.
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Mr Wike should immediately begin to address the root causes of poverty and the violations of the economic and social rights of particularly marginalised individuals in Abuja.
“Mr Wike must address the plight of those experiencing homelessness and those living in poverty in Abuja and not demonise and criminalise them
The group highlighted the need to respect the dignity and human rights of those living in poverty and experiencing homelessness in Abuja.
