Mr Akaniyene Tommey, Chairman of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom led a team of security agents to supervise the demolition of scavengers hideouts on Marina Road, Eket, on Wednesday.
The demolition of the hideouts led to the recovery of some dangerous weapons and hard drugs at the sites.
Tommey said the demolition became necessary because of harassment of members of the public and the nuisance constituted by the scavengers.
He said it also became necessary to enforce the state government’s directive banning the activities of scrap metals scavengers popularly known as “Iron Condemned’’ in local parlance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Jan 4, the state government banned scrap metals scavengers, usually seen roaming the streets and pushing rusty carts from operating in the state.
Tommey said that it was important that the activities of the scavengers be curtailed to ensure safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Reacting to the exercise, Alhaji Ibrahim lliya, the Youth Leader of Eket, commended the local government chairman for clamping down on the scavengers as their heinous activities posed security threat.
NAN reports that the police in Akwa Ibom confirmed the killing of one person at Marina Junction in Eket local government area of the state on March 22.
The killing was suspected to have been carried out by a scavenger.
