The Adamawa State Government has banned scavenging anywhere in the state.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri gave effect to the ban on Wednesday when he signed an order prohibiting the activities of scavengers.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, stressed in a statement passed to newsmen Wednesday evening that the executive order “takes effect on Wednesday, 14th August 2024, and shall remain in force in all 21 local government areas of Adamawa State until further notice.”
Wonosikou, who explained scavenging as “the act of rummaging through waste or engaging in any activity that constitutes a nuisance or health hazard,” added that in light of the new order, “any person who engages in scavenging commits a criminal offence and shall be liable to arrest and prosecution.”
Security agents operating in the state are empowered to search and arrest any person who violates this order, he stated.
The order adds that any person who circumvents or attempts to subvert the course of execution of the order in any way shall be prosecuted in line with the provisions of Section 5(2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, and the Adamawa State Penal Code Law 2018.
The order further stipulates that any person who violates it may end up with a prison term of six months.