Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called for stronger action against scavengers, popularly known as Baban Bola, over concerns about alleged theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities in neighborhoods.
The residents urged the FCT Administration to regulate scavenging, improve waste collection, and restrict scavengers from moving around residential areas, particularly at odd hours.
The concerns are not new. The FCT Administration banned scavengers from operating within the city center in 2018 and directed them to designated dumpsites. However, reports of scavengers operating in residential communities have continued.
Residents in areas including Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Mararaba, and Masaka said the increasing presence of scavengers had heightened security concerns.
A resident, identified as Mama Amina, alleged that scavengers had been involved in burglary incidents in Mararaba, while another resident, Ifeanyi Ike, blamed inadequate waste collection for the continued growth of the activity.
“Previously, the Abuja Environmental Board was more organized. As long as there is no means of disposing of domestic waste, the scavengers will keep increasing in number,” Ike said.
However, some scavengers rejected the perception that they are criminals. Ibrahim Dantata said he entered the trade because he had no formal education or other means of livelihood.
“Not every scavenger is a thief. I know people are ruining our reputation, but we are not all bad,” he said.
Security concerns surrounding scavenging have previously prompted police and other security agencies to take action. In May 2024, the FCT Police Command announced the arrest of 150 scavengers over alleged robbery and theft while recovering items, including firearms and household property.
In January 2025, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also paraded 36 scavengers arrested across Abuja over alleged vandalism and theft of public infrastructure, including manhole covers, streetlights, and solar panels.
The FCT Police also warned in 2024 that scavengers involved in the destruction of government infrastructure would face the law, citing damage to streetlights and removal of manhole covers.
Security expert and Managing Partner at Nextier, Ndu Nwokolo, said unregulated scavenging could expose residents to burglary, pilfering, illegal surveillance, attacks, and vandalism.
He urged the FCT authorities to enforce existing restrictions while improving waste management and providing alternative livelihoods, including skills acquisition, for people who depend on scavenging.
The situation highlights the need for a balance between security enforcement and the livelihoods of legitimate scavengers while ensuring that criminal elements do not exploit waste collection as a cover for illegal activities.
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