BREAKING: Governor Bago Bans Under-18s from Scrap Picking, Orders Mandatory Registration of Dealers in Niger State

In a bold move to curb vandalism and restore order in the scrap and waste management sector, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed that all scrap and waste dealers across the state must immediately register with the government.

The directive, announced through the state government’s official X handle, is part of sweeping reforms to sanitise the booming scrap trade, which has in recent times been linked to acts of sabotage and criminality.

In a decisive step aimed at protecting children and preventing exploitation, Governor Bago further ordered an outright ban on persons under the age of 18 from engaging in scrap picking within the state.

The government noted that the unregulated activities of scrap dealers not only encourage vandalism of public and private infrastructure but also pose serious safety and security risks. By instituting compulsory registration, the state seeks to monitor operations, enforce accountability, and streamline the trade into a lawful and structured enterprise.

Governor Bago’s directive has already stirred widespread reactions across Niger State, with many describing it as a timely intervention to protect public property and secure the livelihoods of genuine dealers.

Security agencies and relevant government departments are expected to begin immediate enforcement of the new regulations.