By Philip Yatai

No fewer than 675 vehicles have been impounded while 273 beggars were apprehended across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Operation Sweep Abuja, which began on July 7.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ajao Adewale, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FCT Security Committee meeting, chaired by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adewale explained that the 273 beggars and destitute were currently being profiled, adding that some of them would be repatriated back to their respective states.

“In the course of this operation, we had offences that relate to drug peddling, to crime, and those that have to do with illegal begging.

“All the ones that fall within illegal begging on the roads have been taken care of by the FCT Social Development Secretariat.

“For those offences that relate to drug peddling, those ones have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” he said.

The commissioner of police added that the 675 vehicles impounded were over improper documentation, tinted glasses, covered number plates among other offences.

He added that a number of the vehicles were also impounded for operating illegal taxi services associated with “one chance” – posing as taxi operators to lure commuters and seize their belongings.

“What we are doing for now is to increase the visibility of our security personnel at bus stops and all the places where they pick their targets.

“We are equally encouraging residents to key into the idea of boarding vehicles at the designated bus stops, preferably in groups, and to be security conscious when boarding vehicles,” the commissioner said.

He said that the security committee had rated the operation as “very successful” and had advised that the exercise continue.

The commissioner added that the FCT minister equally directed security agencies to address the issue of shanties that had been springing up across the nation’s capital city.

“The minister also directed that we rid the FCT of prostitutes, beggars and all other miscreants that constitute a threat to the environment,” he added.

Adewale said that Wike had directed all illegal mining sites and illegal Internally Displaced Persons camps to be shut over security concerns.

He stressed that traffic-related offences that equally contribute to crime in the city would be decisively dealt with.

He identified some of the offences as driving with covered number plates and driving against the traffic.

“There is going to be a total clampdown on these offenders.

“The directive has been given and we are rolling out for full implementation,” he said.

Speaking on the recent clash between farmers and herders in the Gwagwalada Area Council, the commissioner of police said that the issue had been laid to rest.

He explained that the parties involved had signed a peace accord to ensure permanent peace in the affected communities. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare