During the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District on Tuesday, former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike voiced concerns over the increasing number of beggars in the Federal Capital Territory, announcing a potential crackdown starting Monday.
In response, beggars in Abuja expressed their distress over the situation, emphasizing that they did not choose this lifestyle. One blind beggar articulated the emotional and social challenges faced, lamenting the discrimination and fear that often accompany their circumstances.
“This situation I find myself in is not something I wanted. It can happen to anyone who is still alive,” he said, noting that many people avoid them in public spaces. “In public vehicles, nobody wants to sit close to us. Some people think that just by interacting with me, they will become blind.”
The beggar highlighted the harsh economic realities they face, stating, “With the current economy, where people are suffering and there’s no food, my family and I will have to stay at home and wait for death because there will be nothing to live on—no food.”
He also emphasized his skills, saying, “I can knit very well, forget that I am blind. The government should empower us instead of arresting and detaining us. We have many of us who are gifted.