Wed, 6 Nov 2024 0:59:54 WAT
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Fleeing inmates beg locals for food, shoes
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Arrested beggars intact- FCT officials
No fewer than 20 beggars, recently picked from the bustling streets of Abuja‘s city center, reportedly escaped from the FCT Rehabilitation Centre, a facility located in Kuchiko-Bwari, situated on the outskirts of Bwari town. This incident has raised concerns about the management of such facilities.
The beggars are said to have made their escape on Sunday night by squeezing through a fence located at the rear of the Centre, showcasing a potential lapse in security measures.
According to a concerned resident of the host community, the escaping beggars were seen pleading for food and shoes from local inhabitants, demonstrating their desperate situation. This resident disclosed that the individuals claimed they fled the Centre due to inadequate food provisions and poor treatment at the hands of the officials overseeing the facility.
Although a contingent of police officers was deployed to monitor the situation in and around the Centre following the incident, it appears that the escaping beggars successfully navigated their way through the backyard of the establishment, strategically avoiding the main entrance where security personnel were stationed.
During a visit to the Centre on Saturday, City & Crime reporters encountered a wall of silence, as most officials declined to comment, citing civil service rules that restrict them from speaking to the press without prior permission. This lack of communication raises pressing questions about transparency within the facility.
It is important to note that the principal of the Centre was tragically killed on the premises recently, by assailants whose identities remain unknown, highlighting the ongoing security concerns in the area.
Contrary to the accounts of the residents, Peter Olumuji, the Secretary of the Command and Control Centre established to enhance order in Abuja, firmly stated that no inmate had successfully escaped from the Centre. He assured that security measures at the facility had been bolstered to protect both staff and inmates alike.
Olumuji clarified that the beggars had been taken to the Centre for thorough profiling and rehabilitation efforts, asserting that any individuals unwilling to stay would be returned to their respective states of origin. This statement suggests an ongoing effort to manage the welfare of vulnerable populations in the city.
On the issue of food provisions, he emphasized that the FCT Social Development Secretariat bears the responsibility for the welfare of those housed within the Centre, promising that the Secretariat would exert every effort to meet the basic needs of the inmates.
**Interview with Bayo Adeyemi, Social Advocate and Community Organizer**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Bayo. The recent escape of beggars from the FCT Rehabilitation Centre in Abuja has raised significant concerns about both the management of the facility and the state of begging in the city. What are your thoughts on this incident?
**Bayo Adeyemi:** Thank you for having me. The escape of these beggars is indeed alarming. It highlights not only the conditions within the Rehabilitation Centre but also the larger issue of homelessness and begging in Abuja. It appears these individuals felt compelled to escape due to inadequate food and poor treatment, which is a serious indictment of the facility’s management.
**Editor:** It’s quite concerning that they would risk escaping a rehabilitation center. What does this say about the adequacy of the care provided to these individuals?
**Bayo Adeyemi:** It suggests a significant failure in the system. Rehabilitation centers should be places of support and recovery, yet reports of inadequate food and poor treatment can drive vulnerable individuals to desperate actions. If they feel that their basic needs aren’t being met, it raises questions about the facility’s operations and the overall approach to rehabilitation in our society.
**Editor:** Can you elaborate on the situation of street begging in Abuja? Why are we seeing an increase in this issue?
**Bayo Adeyemi:** Street begging in Abuja has been exacerbated by a combination of factors, including economic hardship, lack of job opportunities, and inadequate social support systems. With each passing day, more individuals find themselves on the streets, often forced to beg out of necessity. The visibility of beggars at major intersections and public places reflects a growing crisis that needs urgent attention from the government and society at large.
**Editor:** What steps do you believe should be taken to address both the rising issue of street begging and the management of rehabilitation facilities?
**Bayo Adeyemi:** First and foremost, we need a comprehensive review of how rehabilitation centers are managed. This includes proper oversight, adequate training for staff, and ensuring that the needs of the residents are met. Additionally, we need to create more sustainable job opportunities and social programs that can help prevent individuals from ending up on the streets in the first place. The issue of begging is complex, and it requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term solutions.
**Editor:** Thank you, Bayo, for sharing your insights on such an important topic. It seems clear that a collaborative effort is necessary to tackle these intersecting issues in our communities.
**Bayo Adeyemi:** Absolutely, and thank you for shining a light on this critical issue.
