By PHILIP YATAI

Security operatives on Monday arrested 15 beggars and 19 scavengers across Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The combined security team was made up of the Police, Military, Department of Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other paramilitary agencies.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olatunji Disu, said after the operation in Abuja that the arrest followed the directive of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Describing the operation as a ?national assignment?, Disu said that the clampdown would last for two weeks, after which the strategies would be reevaluated and reinvigorated.

He assured that the enforcement team would be professional and uncompromising in carrying out the Ministerial order.

Also, Mr Adamu Gwary, Director, FCTA Security Services Department, said that the operation would be conducted day and night to achieve the desired results.

Gwary, who was represented by the department?s Secretary, Command and Control, Dr Peter Olumuji, said that the beggars and scavengers were arrested in different locations across the city.

He identified the areas as airport road, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Dei Dei, Asokoro, AYA, Nyanya, Karu, and Jikwoyi.

He, however, said that no beggar was arrested in the city centre because they have all gone into hiding,

The Head of Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Mr Kaka Bello, said that beyond beggars, the operation was also to sanitize the city.

Bello noted that roadside traders and technicians who operate at illegal places would also be evacuated in subsequent operations.

Speaking on the fate of the arrested beggars and scavengers, Dr Sani Rabe, Director Social Welfare, FCT Administration, said they would be profiled and taken to administration?s rehabilitation centre.

?Those who are trainable will be given the opportunity to learn some skills for personal empowerment, while those who are not willing to acquire skill will be repatriated to their states of origin,? he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had on Oct. 22 declared war against beggars, whom he said were defacing Abuja city and posing security risk.

The Minister had warned all beggars to leave the city or be flushed out and disclosed that FCT Administration would float a new Security Scheme to flush beggars out of Abuja city. (NAN)