Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Ali Ndume has proposed a bold new approach to tackling the rising population of beggars in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to establish an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)-style camp for them.
Speaking during a Senate session, Ndume suggested that instead of routinely arresting street beggars, the government should consider creating a rehabilitation system that provides food, shelter, and vocational training, mirroring initiatives seen in Kano and other states.
“Let us not criminalize poverty,” Ndume emphasized. “We can provide them with structured support—just like in IDP camps—where they can receive training and food instead of living on the streets.”
However, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike responded with caution, stating that while the proposal is well-meaning, the FCT currently lacks the resources and infrastructure to support such a program.
Wike also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the plan, adding: “Even when you train some of them, they return to the streets to beg. It’s a deeper issue than just training or feeding.
Ndume Urges Wike to Set Up IDP Camp for Beggars in Abuja — “Train Them, Don’t Just Arrest Them”https://t.co/Xx7tQY3TVx pic.twitter.com/3QgZ9BNDDR
— Naijausers™ (@Naijausers_) May 23, 2025
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