A non-governmental organization, Urban Alert has raised the alarm on the increased danger to lives and properties of Osun residents by the activities of scavengers.
It complained that as a result of the activities of scavengers, lives of residents were endangered, their properties carted away and security agencies unable to curb their activities.
In a petition letter to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, signed by Anthony Adejuwon, its Executive Director, the organisation also alleged that investigations have shown that the scavengers go about their trade armed with dangerous weapons, which include knives and daggers.
Urban Alert reminded Adeleke that previous administrations had designed an identity system through which the nefarious activities of scrap scavengers were curbed.
It urged the Adeleke administration to restructure and relaunch the identity system for scrap scavengers through which the primary data of scavengers working in the state will be captured.
The letter reads, “Recently, there has been an astronomical increase in havoc caused by scrap scavengers in Osun State.
“Scrap scavengers go around to pack metal equipment, kitchen utensils and cart away people’s properties. Several times, they have been reported to security agencies without any significant positive outcome.
“Preliminary investigations through our engagement channels have revealed that the scavengers also go around with knives and daggers.
“They have the potential to attack law-abiding citizens that attempt to resist them from stealing their properties.
“This implies that their activities threaten the safety of lives and properties of over five million residents in Osun.
“Meanwhile, the past administration of the state had designed an identity system through which the nefarious activities of scrap scavengers were curbed.
“A database was established that captured the basic identity of these scavengers, and identity cards and marked jackets were issued to them.
“Thus, this system was able to checkmate their excesses at that time.
“However, this system is no longer in place and has fueled the increase in their nefarious activities.
“We, therefore, urge Your Excellency to restructure and relaunch the identity system for scrap scavengers through which the primary data of scavengers working in the state will be captured.
“An identity system will enable residents of the state to quickly identify the scavengers, engage them in case of any mishap and forestall violence in the communities.”