By PHILIP YATAI

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun Operation Sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars, traders, scavengers and other criminal elements.

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Olayinka said that the operation followed the directive of the FCT minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to rid Abuja and the satellite towns of all forms of nuisance, including “one chance” syndicate.

One chance refers to a form of robbery where criminals pose as transport operators to lure unsuspecting passengers into their vehicles with the intent to rob them of their valuables.

He explained that the move was in line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act, and other relevant laws.

“Our nation’s capital should be a secured 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 Secretariats, Department and Agencies have been deployed to apprehend any persons found begging, scavenging, loitering or engaging in other acts inimical to the security and well-being of the residents.

“Arrangements have been made to profile them and hand them over to their various state governments.

“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,” he said.

He urged residents to be security cautious and report any suspicious movement to 08061581938 and 08032003913. (NAN)