The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Police Command, CP Mohammed Umar Abba, psc met with the Scrap Dealers Association, Osun State Branch to address them on pressing issues.
The CP frowned at the rising trend of Scavengers activities in the State, ranging from Stealing from Households, Companies, Government facilities, especially Electricity cables and the Sale of the stolen goods to Scrap Dealers.
He sternly warned the association that receiving stolen properties is a more severe offense than stealing, as it enables and encourages theft, noting that if there are no buyers, there will not be sellers.
Additionally, the CP highlighted the recent cases of scavengers vandalizing power cables in transformers and power lines, which can 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. Failure to comply with this directive will result in constant raids on their shops and scrap yards, holding everyone accountable.
The CP emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Police as an effective means of preventing theft, receiving stolen goods, and vandalization of power infrastructure, and to safeguard Osun State as a whole.