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Tag: scavengers

  • A’Ibom sets up Task Force to enforce ban on scavengers

    A’Ibom sets up Task Force to enforce ban on scavengers

    Akwa Ibom state government has set up a joint taskforce to enforce the implementation of the ban on scavenging across its 31 local councils and the ban on motorcyclists within Uyo metropolis.

    Inaugurating the taskforce yesterday in Uyo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters and Special Services, Mr Iniobong Ekong, said that, the duties of the taskforce included enforcement of the law on open grazing and other related laws.

    It could be recalled that, the state government through the Secretary to the state government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, had on January 4,2022 banned the activities of scrap scavengers in the state at the wake of death of three persons caused by face-off between scrap scavengers and indigenes of Oku community in Uyo council area.

    According to Ekong, the action became necessary to ensure that government’s directives were obeyed to the later for the safety and security of the people.

    He added that, the enforcement became imperative inorder to tackle any internal insecurity in the state noting that most heinous crimes such as rape, burglary, stealing from investigations were being perpetuated with the use of motorcycles.

    “We have seen ugly development that Okada has started creeping in especially in Uyo metropolis, and part of Uyo capital city. This has not in any way helped the positivity of our security architecture

    “Again we have seen the menace of the scrap operators on the livelihood and peace of our people. Actually government has not in any way positioned itself to block peoples’ lead sources of livelihood, but, the freedom of one to conduct business must not impede on the right of existence of the other.

    “Government will not keep quiet and allow a set of bussiness ‘entrepreneurs’ who want to survive and grow their bussiness at the expense of freedom and livelihood of any other person. Every other citizen resident or organic is equal to the other in all ramifications and government has the responsibility to guarantee freedom, safety and peace for all.

    “Consequent upon this, government has set up enforcement team on ban to move around to ensure total compliance.” He explained.

    Ekong announced that, a mobile court would be sitting in Ibom Hall Uyo, for trial of defaulters, adding that, motorcycles seized would be crushed publicly as arrangements have been concluded with a crushing company from Aba Abia State, which would be performing the exercise every two weeks.

    Addressing the law enforcement officers, which included men and officers of the Nigerian Police, the Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, he charged them to be diligent and not to engage in physical combat with defaulters as there are existing laws waiting for them.

    He warned that no one was exempted from the ban especially officers that ride motorcycles in the banned zone, disclosing that, Governor Udom Emmanuel has approved a welfare package for them.

  • Security: Hard time awaits scavengers, cultists, Drug abusers in FCT

    Security: Hard time awaits scavengers, cultists, Drug abusers in FCT

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The  FCT Administration has promised scavengers, cultism  and drug abuse a hard time in the territory as strategies to ensure the security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello disclosed this during the regular FCT Security Committee meeting held on Tuesday.

    According to the minister, scavengers who often operate under the influence of hard drugs, perpetrate a lot of criminal activities within the Territory which will not be tolerated.

    He said,  “each time there is crisis, you find that people of no known address, people without any means of livelihood suddenly come up with arms and start fighting each other and killing each other. All these are done under the influence of drugs and this is something that we are going to confront head-on”. 

    According to him, scavengers had hitherto concentrated their criminal activities on vandalizing public utilities but had now become major threats to lives and property, adding that their activities remain banned in the Federal Capital City.

    The minister said that the task of security cannot be left to the police alone disclosed the strategy  of  an improved working synergy within the security and intelligence community in the FCT.

     He also called for the support of the citizenry to always  provide intelligence to the security agencies.

     Malam Bello said “We need citizens’ support, especially in terms of intelligence dissemination and also for leaders at all levels, whether it’s at the ward level or at the city level or at the village level or at the Area Council level.”

      “Political leaders at all level, as well as traditional and religious leaders have to play their part and we need to communicate and also encourage citizens to be law abiding and also to provide needed intelligence. Doing that, I think by the grace of God, we will surmount and continue to make FCT a very safe place for everybody.”

    The Minister further hinted that security agencies have also hatched their plans and strategies to fight the kidnappings that occur, especially in communities outside the Federal Capital City.

      Meanwhile he  disclosed that efforts will be made to continue to encourage the cordial relationship between herders and farmers within the FCT in order to prevent clashes between them.

    Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu also reassured  residents of  safety of their lives  and property.

      She further  disclosed that the Administration was paying great attention to the reoccurrence of the Ebola Virus disease in Guinea taking into consideration that the FCT was an international gateway into Nigeria.

     Aliyu called on private clinics running the COVID-19 tests without reporting their finding to the relevant health authorities to desist from doing so. 

    She called for the full disclosure of all mortalities suspected to be to COVID-19 so that post mortems can be carried out on the deceased so that their relations can receive adequate care. 

      At the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jubrin, Commissioner of Police, Mr Bala Ciroma, traditional and religious leaders, Area Council Chairmen, heads of relevant FCTA agencies and departments as well as heads of the various military and para-military formations in the FCT.