In an effort to put an end to vandalism of government and private property in the state, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state, CP Baba Azare conducted a high-profile meeting with scrap dealers.
The State administration banned scavenging activities in 2022 due to the criminal acts and threats to peaceful inter-ethnic relationships posed by the scavengers.
Three years later, implementation has not occurred, but the new CP, Baba Azare, is going all out to enforce the ban. He is meeting with stakeholders today – the dealers, who are the scrap buyers.
CP Azare believes that there are vandals because there are buyers, and that any scrap dealer who sells stolen items would face prosecution, therefore they should cooperate with the police and denounce such individuals.
The members, pledged their support to the cause.
Recall that on January 2, 2022, scavengers broke into the home of a resident in Afaha Oku, Uyo Local Government Area, in an attempt to steal property. While attempting to prevent the scavengers, the citizen was brutally murdered in cold blood, while the scavenger assailants were met with mob violence, resulting in the deaths of two scavengers.
