Due to serious security risks associated with the metal business, popularly known as ‘Bola Jari’, the Gombe State Government has banned the trade across the state.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Zubair Muhammad Umar, announced the ban shortly after an expanded meeting of the State Security Council presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Monday.
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.
“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 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,” he said.
Umar also said the council resolved to intensify vigilance and security surveillance, particularly concerning individuals relocating to the state, as part of measure to addressing the prevailing national security situation and its implications on 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.
“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 said.
According to him, the measures is to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen internal security and enhance grassroots intelligence gathering in the state.
In his remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmad Chuso, said security agencies had intensified operations following recent incidents of abductions and killings in Pindiga in Akko LGA.
He described the incidents as unfortunate, assured residents that concerted efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims, prevent a recurrence, and apprehend the perpetrators.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
Latest posts by Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent) (see all)
- Nigerian Army Vows To Tackle Insecurity In Niger State - January 7, 2026
- INEC Resumes Voter Registration Exercise - January 7, 2026
- UN Make Case For Protection Of Civilians, Schools In Nigeria - January 7, 2026
previous
Nigerian Law School Gets First Woman Director-General under Tinubu
next