Yusuf Oketola
A Non-governmental organisation, Urban Alert, has raised the alarm on the increased threat to the lives and property of residents of the State of Osun by the activities of scavengers.
Urban Alert complained that, activities of the scavengers has endangered the lives of residents, with many properties carted away.
The group lamented that security agencies have been unable to curb the criminal conducts of the individuals.
READ ALSO: Activists Demand Justice As Police Teargas Lands Students In Hospital
The organisation in a petition written to Governor Ademola Adeleke, stated that investigations have shown that the scavengers go about their trade armed with dangerous weapons, which include knives and daggers.
Urban Alert reminded Adeleke that previous administrations had designed an identity system through which the nefarious activities of scrap scavengers were curbed.
It urged Adeleke to restructure and relaunch the identity system for scrap scavengers through which the primary data of scavengers working in the state will be captured.
The petition which was signed by its Executive Director, Anthony Adejuwon reads, “Recently, there has been an astronomical increase in havoc caused by scrap scavengers in Osun State.
“Scrap scavengers go around to pack metal equipment, kitchen utensils and cart away people’s properties. Several times, they have been reported to security agencies without any significant positive outcome.
“Preliminary investigations through our engagement channels have revealed that they also go around with knives and daggers.
“They have the potential to attack law-abiding citizens that attempt to resist them from stealing their property.
“This implies that their activities threaten the safety of lives and properties of over five million residents in Osun.
“Meanwhile, the past administration of the state had designed an identity system through which the nefarious activities of the scrap dealers were curbed.
“A database was established that captured the basic identity of these scavengers, and identity cards and marked jackets were issued to them. Thus, this system was able to checkmate their excesses at that time.
“However, this system is no longer in place and has fueled the increase in their nefarious activities.
“We, therefore, urge Your Excellency to restructure and relaunch the identity system for scrap scavengers through which the primary data of scavengers working in the state will be captured.
“An identity system will enable residents of the state to quickly identify them, engage them in case of any mishap and forestall violence in the communities.”
