Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to establish a dedicated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp for beggars and destitute individuals living in Abuja.
Ndume made the appeal on Wednesday during the presentation of the N1.7 trillion 2025 statutory budget for the FCT to the National Assembly, delivered by Wike on behalf of President Bola Tinubu before the House Committee on the FCT.
He urged the minister to adopt a humane and long-term solution rather than relying on controversial crackdowns that involve arresting street beggars. Ndume stressed that many of those seen begging in Abuja are not criminals but individuals pushed into poverty by severe economic hardship.
Citing Kano State’s social welfare initiatives in the 1970s as a model, the senator recommended identifying vulnerable populations and creating camps where they can receive food, shelter, and vocational training.
Senator Ali Ndume proposed to the FCT Minister, Wike, that an IDP camp be established for the beggars in the FCT. His suggestion included providing them with food and training, similar to initiatives in Kano and other states, rather than simply arresting them.
In response, Wike… pic.twitter.com/736po3ZDGL
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“The FCT is also for the indigent,” Ndume stated. “It’s not enough to arrest displaced persons. Take a cue from what Kano did in the ’70s—identify, house, feed, and train them so they can be lifted off the streets.”
He emphasized that most street beggars are simply people with no viable alternatives, and a transitional support system including healthcare and skill acquisition would offer a more sustainable solution.
In addition, Ndume proposed a new security strategy to address rising crime in the capital, recommending a “picketing” method similar to that used in Cairo. He suggested positioning police officers every 200 metres throughout the city between 6:00 p.m. and morning to create a visible and reassuring security presence.
“Just having an officer sit or stand every 200 metres until daybreak would be enough to secure the night,” he explained.
The senator also raised alarm over inadequate medical facilities in Abuja, specifically pointing to Asokoro Hospital, which he said lacks basic diagnostic equipment like MRI and CT scan machines.
“Even today, a patient was taken to Asokoro Hospital—no MRI or CT scan available. I’m not sure if the Minister is aware, but I believe action would have been taken if he was,” he noted.
In response, Minister Wike acknowledged the validity of Ndume’s concerns but highlighted practical challenges. He said the FCT currently lacks the resources to sustain such an initiative and noted that previous interventions for beggars often failed, as many returned to the streets.
“It’s not just about setting up camps,” Wike said. “Sustainable engagement is the issue. Even with support, many still return to the streets. The FCT doesn’t yet have the capacity to manage that kind of programme effectively.”
