(Abuja)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed concern over the influx of beggars into the territory from neighbouring states, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, expressed the worry while inspecting palliative items at Tunga Mage community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the territory on Thursday.
Aliyu, who stressed that FCT was not a dumping ground for beggars, warned that anyone caught aiding and abetting such gross violation of containment protocol would be made to face dire consequences.
She urged stakeholders and residents to assist security agencies halt the trend by acting as whistleblowers.
The minister of state said: “Information got to us yesterday night that trucks and pick-ups were offloading destitute at the boundaries of the FCT or in some of our suburbs.
“We heard there is influx of destitute into the territory. FCT is not a dumping ground. This is a cry to residents, both natives and non-natives, and also a cry to the royal fathers.
“It is also a cry to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the League of Imams, as well as Civil Society Organisations, to please blow the whistle when they see strange faces in their areas,” she said.
Aliyu wondered how people continued to sneak into the territory despite the lockdown in the FCT and most of the states surrounding it.
She added, “There is no inter-state movement and we don’t know how they were able to arrive here. When you see a group of destitute, please call us. We shall return them or know what to do with them.
”Don’t endanger the lives of your relatives and yourself by harbouring strangers or visitors that are your relatives from other states.
So, we will be working round the clock to fish them out and most of them would be subjected to necessary tests.
“Let each state be able to shut down and take responsibility and see how we can urgently reduce the spread of Covid-19 to the barest minimum,”she further urged.
Responding, the Chairman, FCT Enforcement Team on Movement Restriction, Mr. Ikharo Attah, promised to ensure that security would be tightened around the boundaries of the territory.
