Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has attributed the growing rate of vandalism to the activities of scavengers and scrap dealers in the state, describing their alleged theft and destruction of public property as ‘alarming’ and unacceptable.
Governor Okpebholo stated this while receiving the newly deployed Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, in Edo on Tuesday in Benin.
Okpebholo revealed that his administration will be sending an executive bill to the State House of Assembly, which, after passage, would regulate the activities of scavengers and scrap dealers in the state.
He said, ‘The way they go about stealing irons, removing and destroying property belonging to people, is not acceptable at all.
‘I know that with your zeal and understanding of the state’s terrain, you will be able to take action to end this menace.
‘We are going to propose a regulatory document in the form of a bill to the House of Assembly.
‘When somebody is operating, he should know his boundaries. If they go beyond that, they should know that they are fighting the government.
‘We need to do that so that there will be sanity in their operations.’
While welcoming Akintayo to Edo State, the Governor, however, extended his condolences to the NSCDC over the recent demise of its former Commandant in the State, Gbenga Agun Joseph.
‘Let me welcome you to Government House this morning and, first of all, condole with you once again on the passing of our friend and brother, your predecessor,’ Okpebholo said
Earlier, Ayinla, who officially assumed office on October 17, 2025, confirmed the link between the industry and vandalism, citing the theft of electric cables and manhole covers and streetlight poles as some examples.
He said, ‘While the scrap and scavenging industry contributes to economic activities, its operations have regrettably been linked to rising cases of vandalism and criminality.
‘If not properly regulated, these activities could escalate into more severe crimes such as vehicle theft and destruction of government infrastructure.’
He noted that the NSCDC has begun a census of scrap markets to establish a monitoring framework.
He appealed to the Government to adopt measures such as designating specific areas for scrap markets, regulating their hours of operation, mandating registration and licensing of scrap dealers, and restricting the handling of critical infrastructure materials.
Commandant Ayinla commended the Governor for his support to security agencies in the State, through the provision of vehicles, financial assistance, and other resources.
It would be recalled that the Edo State House of Assembly had previously passed a resolution in May 2025, urging the state government to address the criminal activities of iron scrap dealers.