The Edo State Government on Wednesday said it has arrested six suspected scavengers, popularly known as ‘condemn iron’ dealers, for vandalising public infrastructure, including schools in Benin City.

The government also issued a 21-day ultimatum to scavengers occupying the moat along Lagos Street and its environs to vacate the area and secure proper accommodation.

Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okoloise, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin on the activities of the committee and the alleged damage caused by scavengers.

Okoloise, who invited leaders of scrap dealers to the briefing, warned that the state would no longer tolerate vandalism of public assets.

He said, “The ones that we arrested are in the police station; they are going to be charged in court on Monday. They will be made to face the music. We have about six of them arrested.

“We cannot continue like this. We cannot say because we don’t want people to say they are being marginalised, we allow them to attack state infrastructure. We will not allow it.”

The committee chairman said those living in the moat along Lagos Street had been given 21 days to relocate, stressing that such living conditions were unacceptable.

Lamenting the extent of damage, Okoloise cited the vandalism of Fabiyi Akpata Primary School, where chairs and roofing sheets were allegedly removed and sold.

“They’ve sold all the chairs, sold the roofing sheets. If they want to continue their business in the state, they must contribute to fixing the school. If they don’t, they should forget about operating here,” he said.

He noted that leaders of the scavengers had agreed to repair the vandalised facilities, warning that failure to do so would lead to a ban on their activities.

In his response, Chairman of the Scrap Dealers Association in Edo State, Abbas Garuba, said measures had been put in place to regulate members and curb illegal activities.

He said, “We have fixed working hours for our members, from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Anyone operating outside these hours is not one of us.

“We have also banned work on Sundays because that is when most theft occurs. On Sundays, we gather members to sensitise them.”

Garuba also appealed to the government to provide security for public facilities to deter vandalism.

Incidents of vandalism of public infrastructure by scrap collectors have been on the rise in several parts of Nigeria, with schools, bridges and government buildings often targeted for metal components.

State governments have increasingly introduced regulations and enforcement measures to curb the activities of illegal scavengers, citing the high cost of repairs and the Impact on public services. (The PUNCH)