The Akwa Ibom State government has banned scavengers from operating in the state.

A statement signed by the Secretary to State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, said the ban became necessary following numerous complaints of theft and other criminal activities from the public.

The statement read in part;

“Recall that sometime in 2021, multiple explosions, causing fatalities, were recorded in Oruk Anam Local Government Area in the course of scavengers sorting out what turned out to be military brand explosives.

About four lives were lost in this incident. Similarly, on 2nd Jan 2022, scavengers violated the premises of a citizen in Afaha Oku, Uyo Local Government Area in an attempt to cart away properties. While attempting to prevent the scavengers, the citizen was callously murdered in cold blood while mob action was visited on the scavenger assailants causing the death of the two scavengers.

Sundays appear to be the busiest day for these scavengers who take advantage of mass Church attendance to invade homes and cart away valuables leaving hapless citizens with tales of woe upon their return from Church.

“As a responsible government, we can no longer tolerate the activities of this industry which evidently is in no way adding value to the socio-economic well-being of the state but rather escalating tensions and threatening the overall peace and security of the state. Accordingly, the operations of scrap scavengers in the state are banned forthwith. Violators of this ban will be apprehended and dealt with according to the law.”

The SSG also re-stated the state government’s stand on the ban of motorcycles.

 “Government has observed with dismay and serious concern the flagrant defiance of the ban on motorcycle operations within Uyo metropolis and environs. This ban is hereby reiterated with a warning that defaulters stand to lose not only their motorcycles if apprehended, but also risk being prosecuted and possibly sentenced.

“Security agencies and the general public are, therefore, put on notice. An enforcement structure has been put in place to effect these directives to the letter” Ekuwem said.