A few months after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, took steps to remove beggars from the streets of Abuja, they are now back and in large numbers.

From popular spots like Berger, Wuse Junction, Area 1, and even Central Area, beggars have returned to almost every major junction and park across the city.

While some are quietly asking for help, others are causing trouble by disturbing drivers and making public spaces uncomfortable.

“I thought they had handled this issue,” said Fatima Mohammed, who runs a shop in Wuse. “But they’re back again, maybe even more than before.”  

“If you just go out of this gate like this, they are lined up. They left, but now, they are back.”

Earlier this year, Minister Wike had promised to clear the streets and restore order to the city. Security teams were sent out, and it looked like things were getting better. But now, residents are wondering what went wrong.

“It’s not just begging, if they were just begging, we could ignore it, some of them chase cars, knock on windows, and fight with each other,” said Musa Ibrahim, a 9-to-5er. “On my way to work and on my way back, along this Idu-Airport junction road, there are so many. It makes Abuja look like we don’t have any structure.”

Many citizens are now asking questions: What happened to the plan to take them off the streets? Why is nothing being done now? And how can Abuja truly look and feel like a capital city?

“Abuja is supposed to be the face of Nigeria,” said Nkechi Okonkwo, who lives in Garki. “But with this situation, it’s hard to be proud of how things are going.”

‘We are calling on the government not just to push the beggars away temporarily, but to find lasting solutions, maybe they can do something like group homes or shelters or even support programs and job opportunities for them,’ she added.

For now, Abuja residents are left to deal with the return of street begging and they want answers.