The Ekiti State government has vowed to begin the registration of scavengers roaming the streets, particularly in the state capital, Ado, to prevent insecurity.

The development is coming amid complaints over the unwholesome activities of the scavengers, who are mostly from the north and allegedly breaking into both private homes and public places, stealing properties.

Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, hinted at a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria on Thursday.

Mr Ogundana said Mr Oyebanji had given a mandate on checkmating scavengers’ activities to avoid possible security threats.

“This gathering is to ensure that we guarantee the security of our people because we have been receiving a lot of reports of these scavengers who go into the communities.

“And when they get there, they start removing what they are not supposed to remove and some of the infrastructures government installed for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Mr Ogundana affirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of residents.

The director-general, Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Omotosho, said the registration of the scavengers would also boost the state revenue. She added that the Ekiti State Internal Revenue is working at an affordable cost as part of the regulation process.

“We have made recommendations to the Ekiti State House of Assembly, and the speaker put up a committee to look into that. After this engagement, the House of Assembly will have a public hearing about their activities.

“They also agreed that we should regulate their activities to the point that we should capture them under the tax net because they don’t even pay tax,” she added.

The director-general, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Sunkanmi Onipede, reiterated that the registration process will nip the menace of scavengers in the bud.

Mr Onipede stressed that the relevant security agencies, including the police, NSCDC, and SSS, will be involved in enforcement.

While social analysts have said scavengers played good roles, especially in waste management and collection of recyclable materials, several crimes have been committed under the guise of scavenging.