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“Stop Using Poverty as an Excuse for Security Threats” – Wike To Abuja Beggars
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his recent crackdown on beggars in Abuja, explaining that the measure aims to address growing security threats in the nation’s capital.
In October, Wike declared a “war on beggars,” aiming to reduce the rising presence of street beggars across Abuja.
Speaking on Wednesday during a live media briefing at his Abuja office, Wike addressed these concerns, highlighting the link between security and the need to regulate street activities.
He explained that while poverty remains an ongoing challenge, it should not be used as an excuse to overlook potential security risks.
Wike pointed out that in many cities around the world, urban policies limit street begging to ensure public safety, and Abuja should be no different, especially as it hosts major government offices, embassies, and businesses.
The former Rivers State governor emphasized that security in the FCT cannot be taken lightly.
He noted that some beggars in the city may not be as innocent as they appear.
In his view, there’s a real risk of criminals and terrorist informants disguising themselves as beggars to gather information on individuals, tracking residents’ routines and potentially relaying crucial details to criminal networks.
Wike highlighted that no country has fully eliminated poverty or unemployment but argued that in the face of security threats, a balance must be struck.
“There are people who could easily position themselves near your home or office under the guise of begging,” Wike said.
“But they’re actually monitoring your movements—knowing when you leave and return.
We have to take proactive measures.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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