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Poverty Is Not An Excuse – Wike Defends ‘War On Beggars’ In Abuja

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5 hours ago

Nov 14, 2024.

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended his controversial efforts to reduce the number of beggars in Abuja, stating that some individuals could be serving as informants for terrorists.

In October, Wike launched a “war on beggars” to prevent the capital from becoming “a city of beggars,” a move that drew criticism, particularly from those who argue that it overlooks the widespread poverty affecting many Nigerians.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) even threatened legal action if the minister proceeded with his plan.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike addressed the backlash, emphasizing the necessity of the crackdown to tackle security threats in the city. He warned that some people posing as beggars could actually be gathering intelligence for criminal purposes.

The minister also countered arguments linking poverty to the rise in begging, asserting that no country has fully solved the problem of poverty, and that it should not be used as an excuse for compromising security.

He said, “There is nowhere in this world where you can say employment has been provided for everybody. Tell me one country that has been able to solve the problem of poverty.”

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Wike stressed the importance of prioritizing security over concerns about poverty, adding, “You can just see somebody sitting outside your house, pretending to be a beggar, but in reality, he could be an informant, giving out information about your comings and goings.”