By Muhammad Sani Muazu
A prominent Islamic scholar in Bauchi State has stirred controversy after accusing waste scavengers of engaging in illegal activities, alleging that many of them purchase stolen goods. The scholar, who remains unnamed, claimed that scavengers knowingly buy stolen items, branding many of them as thieves.
In reaction to the allegations, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Waste Scavengers Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan Gombe, has strongly defended his members, describing the claims as a gross misrepresentation of their work.
“We heard some people, especially an Islamic scholar, painting us black, saying we are buying stolen products. This is a misunderstanding,” Dan Gombe stated in a response. “Our business of scavenging is practiced everywhere, and while we admit that it comes with some loopholes, calling all of us thieves and demanding the banning of the business is unfair.”
Dan Gombe further disclosed that the association has been working closely with security agencies to eliminate criminal elements within their ranks. He revealed that they have registered their members as part of efforts to sanitize the profession and distinguish genuine scavengers from those engaging in illegal activities.
“There are bad eggs in all businesses, but we have been working tirelessly to ensure those buying stolen items are arrested. I call on Bauchi residents to identify genuine waste scavengers, and I send a strong warning to anyone tarnishing our business by engaging in ungodly acts. We will work with security agencies to ensure they are brought to justice,” Dan Gombe added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, a waste recycling expert from Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, has weighed in on the matter. He called for the formalization of the waste scavenging sector, stating that this would help address criminal activities and improve the sector’s contribution to the economy.
“We are calling for the formalization of this sector because it is still informal here. Formalization will bring regulations, financial support, and training opportunities for those in the business. This will not only improve their operations but also contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and overall national income,” Dr. Sulaiman noted.
He further emphasized the importance of government intervention, suggesting that financial grants and loans would enable scavengers to expand their businesses, making waste recycling a more lucrative and sustainable industry.
The ongoing debate has raised concerns about how to balance the economic opportunities provided by the waste scavenging industry with the need to address security and legality in this largely informal sector.