A serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to urgently remove the rising number of street children—popularly known as Almajirai—who gather daily at major junctions across Abuja.
Hon. Salam, who currently represents the Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State in the 10th National Assembly, said the FCT Minister would not be violating any constitutional provision by taking the children into protective custody and enrolling them in structured rehabilitation programmes.
In a public message, the lawmaker expressed concern that the growing population of underage children begging across the city poses a long-term security risk if not addressed. He urged the FCT Administration to establish an emergency welfare and custodial centre where children can be housed, educated, and trained in vocational skills, and prevented from returning to the streets.
According to Salam, the Nigerian Constitution places a clear responsibility on government institutions to ensure the welfare, protection, and development of children. He therefore advised that the FCT Administration prepare a comprehensive budget for the initiative and present it to both chambers of the National Assembly for approval.
“This is how to solve a social menace and prevent a looming crisis in the next seven to ten years, today’s uneducated children are tomorrow’s potential bandits, terrorists, and petty criminals,” he warned.
He added that the intervention is necessary to avert more profound social instability as the children grow into adulthood without guidance, opportunity, or support. Abuja, he noted, should set the national standard for responsible and humane child welfare policy.
The lawmaker’s comment comes amid rising concern about the growing number of children begging at key intersections, including Wuse, Apo, Berger Roundabout, and the Central Business District. Many of these minors arrive unaccompanied and are at risk of exploitation, trafficking, and crime.
