The Federal Capital Territory
Administration (FCTA), has raised the alarm over the influx of beggars
into the territory from neighbouring states in spite of the COVID-19
pandemic and the lockdown in the nation’s capital.
The Minister of State for FCT, Dr.
Ramatu Aliyu, who raise the alarm yesterday while inspecting palliative
items at Tunga Mage community in Gwagwalada Area Council, stressed that
FCT is not a dumping ground for beggars and therefore warned that anyone
caught aiding and abetting such gross violation of containment
protocol, would be made to face dire consequences.
Aliyu urged stakeholders and residents to assist security agencies halt the trend by acting as whistleblowers.
The minister state said; “Information
got to us yesterday night that trucks and pick-ups are 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, 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.”
Aliyu wondered how people continued to
sneak into the territory despite the lockdown in the FCT and most of the
states surrounding it.
She said, “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 back or
know what to do with them. But please don’t house any guests.
”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”.
Responding, the chairman of the FCT
Enforcement Team on Movement Restriction, Mr. Ikharo Attah, promised to
ensure that security would be tightened around the boundaries of the
FCT.
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