The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, has directed all individuals and businesses operating in the scrap metal value chain to register with the command within three months or risk arrest, prosecution and other legal sanctions.
The State Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla announced the directive during a press briefing in Benin City, saying the measure forms part of a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at curbing vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.
According to him, the new framework applies to every operator in the scrap business, including scavengers, scrap collectors, transporters, middlemen, buyers, dealers, marketers, recyclers and operators of scrap yards.
Ayinla said the registration and profiling exercise takes immediate effect and will be coordinated by the Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department in collaboration with the recognized leadership of the Scrap Dealers Association and other relevant stakeholders.
He explained that all operators are expected to provide the necessary personal and business information during the profiling exercise, warning that anyone who fails to register within the stipulated three-month period would be regarded as operating illegally.
“Upon the expiration of the three-month period, any individual or business that has failed to comply shall be deemed to be operating illegally and shall be liable to arrest, prosecution and other sanctions as provided by law,” he said.
The commandant also unveiled new operational guidelines to regulate scrap transactions across the state.
Under the directives, scavengers are required to identify themselves to registered scrap dealers and sell only to approved dealers. Scrap dealers must maintain accurate daily records of all transactions, including details of every seller and the source of all scrap materials, for inspection by the NSCDC.
Ayinla further prohibited the possession, transportation or sale of government property or materials suspected to have been vandalized from public or private infrastructure.
He listed prohibited items to include fibre optic cables, manhole covers, rail tracks, electrical cables, transformer components, streetlight materials, government utility installations and other protected public infrastructure.
The command also restricted scrap collection, transportation and trading to between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except where written approval has been obtained from the NSCDC.
In addition, all transactions must take place within approved and registered scrap yards, while roadside purchases, illegal collection points and unauthorized storage facilities have been outlawed.
The NSCDC boss said the command had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against scrap-related crimes, stressing that scavengers caught vandalizing public or private infrastructure or found with suspected stolen materials would be arrested and prosecuted.
He added that dealers who purchase, conceal or trade in stolen property, as well as transporters and middlemen aiding the movement of stolen scrap materials, would also face prosecution.
Ayinla warned that after the registration deadline, operators who fail to register, keep transaction records or comply with the new regulations would face arrest, seizure of materials, sealing of business premises where applicable, and prosecution.
He maintained that the era of criminals hiding under the guise of scrap business to vandalize critical infrastructure was over, assuring law-abiding operators that they had nothing to fear.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Edo State Command, will not tolerate any act capable of sabotaging Critical National Assets and Infrastructure or undermining the security and economic development of Edo State,” Ayinla said.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state.
