Old rusty corroded car parts in car scrapyard. Car recycling.Wrecking Machinery Parts wait for reused or to be a part for repair.
The Chairman of the Bolar Scrap Dealers Association in Eredo, Mr. Jacob, has dissociated his group from the four cable vandals recently arrested in Ilara, Epe.
Ekohotblog reports that Speaking in an exclusive interview, Mr. Jacob clarified that one of the suspects, Omega David, was once involved in the scrap business but had reportedly left the trade long before the recent arrest.
“Omega David used to be in the business, even before I joined. However, he stopped a long time ago. There was a time we even called him to advise us on how to go about this work, but he made it clear that he was no longer interested in it,” he explained.
Despite his past disassociation from the trade, Mr. Jacob expressed shock upon discovering a legal document linking Omega David to a previous vandalism case.
According to the chairman, the document detailed an incident in 2022 where the suspect allegedly vandalized a government-owned bulldozer.
“I was surprised when I heard his name mentioned in this case. But what shocked me more was when I saw a court document showing that he had once vandalized a government bulldozer in 2022. This means he has been involved in criminal activities for a long time,” he stated.
Mr. Jacob emphasized that the Bolar Scrap Dealers Association has been proactive in preventing illegal dealings within the group.
According to him, routine inspections are conducted at members’ stores to ensure that no stolen or contraband materials are being traded.
“We conduct unannounced checks at all our members’ stores to ensure that no one is dealing in illegal items. So far, we haven’t found any contraband among our members,” he affirmed.
He further stated that investigations into Omega David’s activities revealed that he had not been selling stolen cables within Epe, which further distanced the association from his alleged crimes.
Mr. Jacob urged security operatives to intensify efforts in tackling cable vandalism and called on the community to be more vigilant.
He advised residents to always verify the identity of scrap collectors before engaging in any transactions.
“Whenever you see a Bolar pushing a wheelbarrow, stop them and ask for their ID card. Every legitimate member has a registered ID card with all their details on it.
If you see anything suspicious, call their boss using the number on the ID card or hand them over to security,” he instructed.
Additionally, he warned scrap dealers against purchasing materials from children, emphasizing the need to trace the source of any scrap materials before making a purchase.
“We have instructed our members never to buy from children because their parents might not be aware of what they are selling.
Also, every dealer must verify the source of any scrap before buying, to avoid purchasing stolen goods,” he cautioned.
The Bolar Chairman commended security agencies for their swift action in arresting the vandals and urged them to do more in ensuring the safety of public infrastructure.
“The authorities are doing a great job, and we appreciate their efforts. But they must not relent. We need to rid our community of criminal elements who are sabotaging our progress,” he concluded.
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