Insecurity: Edo Govt to Regulate Activities of Scavengers, Scrap Dealers, Says Okpebholo

By Ogochukwu Isioma

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged the State Government’s full support to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in its efforts to curb vandalism and regulate scrap and scavenging activities across the State.

The Governor made the commitment on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the new NSCDC Commandant, Edo State Command, Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, at the Government House in Benin City, the State capital.

Governor Okpebholo, during the visit, extended his condolences to the NSCDC over the passing of the late Commandant Gbenga Agun Joseph, describing the news of his death as a shock.

Okpebholo said: “Let me welcome you to Government House this morning and, first of all, condole with you once again on the passing of our friend and brother, your predecessor. Having said that, I want to welcome you back to Edo. With the information I have before me, you are not new to the State. So, I can say that you are a son of the soil.”

Addressing the issue of scavengers and scrap dealers, the Governor condemned the growing incidents of theft and vandalism linked to their operations.

He said: “The way they go about stealing irons, removing and destroying property belonging to people is not acceptable at all. I know that with your zeal and understanding of the State’s terrain, you will be able to take action to end this menace.”

Governor Okpebholo further announced plans to send a bill to the Edo State House of Assembly to regulate the operations of scavengers and scrap dealers.

He added: “We are going to propose a regulatory document in the form of a bill to the House of Assembly. When somebody is operating, he should know his boundaries. If they go beyond that, they should know that they are fighting the Government. We need to do that so that there will be sanity in their operations.”

Earlier, the new NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, commended the Governor for his administration’s consistent support to security agencies in the State, through the provision of vehicles, financial assistance, and other resources.

Ayinla, who officially assumed office on October 17, 2025, highlighted the increasing cases of vandalism associated with the scrap and scavenging industry, including the theft of electric cables, manhole covers, and streetlight poles.

He warned: “While the scrap and scavenging industry contributes to economic activities, its operations have regrettably been linked to rising cases of vandalism and criminality. If not properly regulated, these activities could escalate into more severe crimes such as vehicle theft and destruction of government infrastructure.”

The commandant disclosed that the NSCDC had commenced a census of scrap markets and scavenging points across Edo State to establish a monitoring and control framework.

He appealed to the Government to adopt measures such as designating specific areas for scrap markets, regulating their hours of operation, mandating registration and licensing of scrap dealers, and restricting the handling of critical infrastructure materials.