Abuja residents demand action as scavengers fuel criminal activities
Nigerians, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have expressed concerns over the upsurge in the activities of scavengers, who wander around neighbourhoods at odd hours, posing security risks. The residents are pleading with the authorities to intensify enforcement, limit their activities, and provide alternative means of domestic waste disposal. In the FCT, there […] Abuja…
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, residents are expressing deep concern over an alarming increase in the activities of scavengers, also known as 'Baban bola'. These scavengers, who roam neighborhoods during odd hours, are posing significant security risks. Authorities are being urged to tighten enforcement, restrict their activities, and offer alternative waste disposal methods.
The term 'Baban bola' has become synonymous with criminality in the FCT. These scavengers have reportedly engaged in a wide range of criminal activities, from robbery and property theft to vandalism and theft of government assets. Some of them, according to reports, operate as armed robbers and pickpockets at night. One resident, Mama Amina, highlighted that Abuja is becoming a hotspot for kidnappers and other criminals due to its porous boundaries and weak security setup.
She reported two major break-ins in Mararaba committed by scavengers, despite no action being taken to stop the problem.
A further issue is the lack of an organized system for collecting domestic waste, which experts believe empowers these criminals. Ifeanyi Ike, a resident of Nyanya, lamented that the flawed system fuels the growth of scavenger gangs. Mr. Suleman Danladi attributed the rising insecurity in the North to the fact that many scavengers were once thriving farmers displaced by insurgency.
Some scavengers themselves spoke to DAILY POST, explaining that they engage in scavenging to make ends meet. They feed their families with this work, despite the negative stigma attached to their profession. There are, however, positive voices within the scavenger community. Ibrahim Dantata, a scavenger, stated that while not all scavengers are thieves, the profession has ruined their reputation.
Adamu, another scavenger, claimed that they punish any scavenger caught stealing or engaging in criminal activities, preferring to help them find alternative livelihoods or physical confront them.
Security expert Mr. Ndu Nwokolo warned that the scavenger menace in Abuja has exposed residents to a host of crimes, including pilfering, burglary, illegal surveillance, knife attacks, and hooliganism. He advised the FCT Administration to implement a ban on indiscriminate disposal of refuse and scavenging. He also proposed moving young people to skills acquisition centers as an alternative source of income.
The residents of Abuja are demanding immediate action to curb the growing problem of scavengers fueling criminal activities.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
