Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled plans to introduce regulations to oversee the operations of scavengers and scrap dealers in the state, aimed at addressing vandalism and other related crimes.
The governor made this known while receiving the new Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, Akintayo Ayinla, at the Government House in Benin.
Okpebholo stated that a bill would soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly to formalize the regulation of scavengers and scrap dealers, expressing concern over the rising incidents of theft and damage to public infrastructure linked to their activities.
“The way they go about stealing iron rods, removing and destroying property belonging to the people is not acceptable at all,” the governor said. “I know that with your zeal and understanding of the state’s terrain, you will be able to take action to end this menace.”
He assured the NSCDC of the state government’s full support in tackling vandalism and enforcing order in the scrap and scavenging sector. The governor also extended condolences to the corps over the death of its former state commandant, Mr Gbenga Joseph, describing his passing as a great loss.
The new NSCDC Commandant, Ayinla, who assumed duty on October 17, 2025, commended the governor for his continued support to security agencies through logistics and financial assistance.
He identified scrap dealers and scavengers as major contributors to the vandalism of public infrastructure, including electric cables, manhole covers and streetlight poles.
Ayinla said the corps had begun a census of scrap markets and scavenging points across the state to establish a monitoring framework. He also urged the government to designate specific locations for scrap markets, regulate their operating hours, and ensure compulsory registration and licensing of dealers to prevent misuse of critical infrastructure materials.
