Gombe bans scrap metal trade over security concerns

The Gombe State government has announced an immediate ban on scrap metal trading, locally known as Bola Jari, citing rising security threats and the alleged involvement of some operators in criminal activities.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya presided over the decision on Monday during an expanded State Security Council meeting at the Government House, Gombe.

Briefing journalists, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar, said the ban followed repeated complaints from security agencies about the difficulty of monitoring scrap dealers due to fragmented and uncoordinated operations. He noted that multiple associations with no unified leadership made regulation and intelligence gathering challenging, and some reports linked operators to illegal activities.

“Consequent upon these reports, the State Security Council has, with immediate effect, banned all Bola Jari activities across Gombe State,” Umar said.

The ban will remain in place until dealers register under a single recognized body and operate under proper supervision.

The government also plans to establish a central yard for registered operators within the metropolis.

Umar warned that violators of the ban would face strict legal consequences, with security agencies instructed to enforce the order without exception.

The council also decided to tighten residency controls in the state.

A standard profiling template will be provided to landlords and agents to document personal details of tenants and new residents in a central registry to aid security investigations.

On farmer–herder conflicts, Umar said the government has set up an enforcement committee to implement recommendations from a White Paper on grazing reserves, forest reserves, and cattle routes, many of which have been illegally encroached upon.

He added that the council’s measures aim to enhance internal security, improve intelligence gathering, and promote peaceful coexistence across Gombe State.