The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has evacuated 273 destitute persons from the streets of Abuja and impounded 670 vehicles in the past four months as part of its ongoing citywide cleanup tagged Operation Sweep.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Wale Ajao, made this known on Tuesday after a Security Committee meeting held at the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Ajao said the evacuees have been relocated to the Social Development Secretariat Centre in Bwari for profiling and care.
“Their welfare is being taken care of. They will be relocated to where they rightfully belong,” he said.
According to him, the seized vehicles were impounded for offences such as traffic violations, lack of proper documentation, use of tinted windows, covered number plates, and unlicensed commercial operations.
He added that drug suspects arrested during the operation have been handed over to the NDLEA.
Operation Sweep, initiated by Minister Wike, targets beggars, scavengers, “one-chance” criminals, and other elements considered a threat to public safety and city aesthetics.
The operation received a boost following a recent court ruling that dismissed a suit seeking to halt the evacuation of beggars.
Ajao said the next phase of the exercise would feature stricter traffic enforcement.
“Driving against traffic or covering number plates poses serious safety risks and will no longer be tolerated,” he warned.
The minister has also directed a clampdown on illegal mining activities, demolition of shanties, and closure of unauthorized IDP camps.
Ajao said residents of such camps will be profiled, and anyone found without valid displacement reasons will be relocated to their state of origin.
“The proliferation of shanties in the FCT is a major concern to the minister,” Ajao added, noting that security agencies have been instructed to sustain the cleanup efforts.
