Locals say the scavengers, who roam neighborhoods in search of recyclable waste like plastics and scrap metals, often operate at odd hours and have been implicated in burglary, assault, and vandalism. Many fear their continued presence threatens public safety and environmental hygiene.

Calls for intervention have intensified, with residents urging the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to regulate scavenging activities and strengthen the city’s waste disposal system. “We now sleep with one eye open,” said Ngozi Ezike, a teacher in Mararaba, describing recent burglary incidents allegedly linked to scavengers.

In response to rising complaints, the FCTA has been cracking down on unregulated scavenging and street begging, citing the 2020 domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law. However, this has triggered a legal backlash.

A lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abba Hikima on behalf of scavengers and beggars accuses the FCTA and the Inspector General of Police of violating the rights of vulnerable residents. The plaintiffs are seeking ₦500 million in damages, claiming forced evictions and harassment.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, in a counter-affidavit, defended the administration’s actions, arguing that many scavengers engage in illegal activities such as vandalism, theft, and espionage for criminal networks. He also cited health hazards linked to open defecation and waste dumping by homeless individuals living under bridges and on roadsides.

While the legal case continues in the Federal High Court, with a judgment expected on July 10, the situation has sparked broader debate over public safety, poverty, and urban management.

Some residents suggest alternatives. Mike Divine, a resident of Lugbe, called for the relocation of scavengers to skills acquisition centres and better enforcement of sanitation laws. “The city’s waste management must be revamped to reduce their access to trash and curb associated crimes,” he said.

Despite the allegations, some scavengers insist they are unfairly stigmatized. Ibrahim Dantata, a father of nine, explained he turned to scavenging out of desperation. “Not all of us are criminals,” he said. “This work is how I feed my family.”

Kabiru M’uazu, another scavenger in Nyanya, said the community has internal mechanisms to punish theft. “We don’t tolerate stealing,” he said. “Anyone caught faces serious consequences.”

As tension builds between the need for public order and the rights of the economically marginalized, residents and officials alike agree that a long-term solution must involve improved urban planning, stronger social support systems, and effective law enforcement.

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The lawsuit, filed by human rights lawyer Abba Hikima on behalf of the residents, alleges that recent actions by the minister and security forces have led to arbitrary arrests, harassment, and detentions of some of the most vulnerable members of society. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/2024, was submitted before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Hikima explained that the legal action was initiated to address the plight of citizens who often live on the margins of society, facing daily struggles for survival. According to him, the respondents include the Minister, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Government.

The lawyer recounted witnessing a disturbing incident on the night of November 12, 2024. He said he observed security operatives forcefully arresting individuals perceived to be homeless, including hawkers, petty traders, and beggars, near Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja. “These people were subjected to verbal harassment and physical threats in full view of passersby,” Hikima said, describing the scene as deeply unsettling.

He followed the convoy of security operatives to Eagle Square, where the detainees were reportedly held. Over the following days, he reached out to some of those affected, recording their stories to ensure they would have a voice in court. Among them were Abdullatif Shehu, Hajiya Talatu Danladi, and Judith Samuel, who recounted how they were apprehended while trying to earn a living or simply seeking shelter.

In the suit, Hikima is asking the court to declare that the treatment of these individuals is a violation of their constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the right to dignity, freedom of movement, and protection from discrimination. He also urged the court to order the respondents to issue a public apology and implement reforms to protect the rights of vulnerable Nigerians.

The legal action highlights the difficult realities faced by many in the FCT. “It is not a crime to be homeless or to engage in petty trading,” Hikima said, emphasizing that the conditions leading to such circumstances often stem from harsh government policies and systemic failures to provide adequate support for vulnerable citizens.

When the matter came before the court, it was revealed that while the Department of State Services had responded with a counter-affidavit, representatives for the minister, the police, and other government agencies were absent. Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to February 4, 2025, and directed that notices be served to all respondents.

For those involved, the case is not just about financial compensation but about accountability and recognition of their dignity as human beings.

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