Gombe bans scrap metal trade

The Gombe State Government has banned the scrap metal business, popularly known as Bola Jari, citing serious security risks associated with the trade.

The ban was announced on Monday by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Zubair Muhammad Umar, shortly after an expanded meeting of the State Security Council presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Umar explained that the council approved the immediate ban on the scrap metal business following a detailed assessment of reports on the vandalism of public infrastructure and related criminal activities in the state.

He said the meeting was convened to review emerging security challenges and recent incidents in the state, and that the council “unveiled a set of far-reaching and decisive security measures aimed at strengthening public safety and enhancing internal security across the state.”

The attorney-general added that the council expressed serious concern over the persistent vandalisation of school infrastructures and other public assets which often found their way into the hands of scrap metal dealers.

Addressing the prevailing national security situation and its implications for the state, Umar said the council resolved to intensify vigilance and security surveillance, particularly concerning individuals relocating to the state.

He explained that all persons seeking to reside or rent accommodation in the state would henceforth be properly profiled “with their personal details documented to strengthen intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to verify individuals when necessary.”

On the recurring issue of farmer-herder conflicts, the attorney-general revealed that the government had constituted an enforcement committee to implement the recommendations contained in the White Paper on Grazing Reserves and Cattle Routes.

He explained that the White Paper followed the report of an earlier committee chaired by a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zubairu Muazu, which reviewed the status of grazing reserves and cattle routes across the state.

He stressed that the measures were designed to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen internal security and enhance grassroots intelligence gathering.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Gombe State Command, Umar Ahmad Chuso, disclosed that security agencies had intensified operations following recent incidents of abductions and killings in Pindiga in Akko LGA.

Describing the incidents as unfortunate, the CP assured residents that concerted efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims, apprehend the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence.

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