The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Mohammed Umar Abba, has met with the state branch of Scrap Dealers Association and stressed the verification of the authenticity of scrap items before their purchase.
This followed the rising trend of scavengers’ activities In stealing from households, companies and government facilities, among others.
Addressing members of the association on Tuesday, August 20, the police commissioner frowned at the way electricity cables were being stolen from government and private facilities and sold to scrap dealers.
Noting that there would be no sales of stolen goods if there are no buyers of such, CP Abba warned the association that receiving stolen properties is a more severe offence than stealing, as it enables and encourages continuous theft.
He highlighted recent cases of scavengers vandalising power cables in transformers and power lines, which he said could have severe consequences on the power grid and potentially escalate into a national crisis.
The CP urged the association to implement mechanisms to verify the authenticity of goods sold to them and report suspicious individuals masquerading as scavengers to the Police.
He said that failure to comply with this directive would result in constant raids on their shops and scrap yards and holding everyone accountable.
The police boss stressed the importance of collaboration with the police as an effective means of preventing theft, receipt of stolen goods and vandalism of power infrastructure, which are all aimed at safeguarding the Livingspring state.
