ABAKILIKI (SUNDIATA POST)- The Nigerian Police and stakeholders in Ebonyi have decried the rising cases of illegal activities of the scrap dealers in various communities in the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Abakaliki, they underscored the need to regulate the activities of the scavangers, otherwise called “local waste pickers”.
They were accused of engaging in incessant looting of both government and privately owned property, especially metal and electricity cables, which were considered as “worrisome”.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Anthonia Uche-Anya, called for more collaboration among the major stakeholders to curb all forms of criminality in the state.
Uche-Anya described crime fighting as everybody’s business, saying that the police in Ebonyi were committed to the protection of lives and property of residents.
She also said that no business could thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity and urged the youths to desist from criminality.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Mr Moses Nome, said there was need to profile scrap dealers in the state.
Nome, who is the Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA), said that arresting and prosecuting scrap dealers would go a long way in checkmating insecurity, especially in the rural communities.
Earlier, the Chairman of Afikpo LGA, Mr Timothy Nwachi, called for more security meetings at the grassroots in order to achieve crime-free society.
Also, the Chairman of Izzi Traditional Rulers Council, Mr Sunday Oketa, called for the sensitisation of the public, especially the youths, on the fight against insecurity for sustainable development. (NAN)
