Babanbola and scavengers banned in igbe town

IGBE BANS BABANBOLA AND SCAVENGERS, TASKS COMMITTEE ON SECURITY LEVY 

– CDAs TO HIRE GUARDS

By Adeboye Prince Adetu 

June 22, 2026

His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali (Emugoriade I) 

IGBE – Yesterday, June 21, 2026, will go down as a watershed moment in the history of Igbe town as community leaders, traditional heads, and youth representatives convened an emergency security summit at the Igbe Town Hall to tackle the growing tide of vandalism and theft plaguing the island-like community.

Dignitaries present at the crucial meeting included:

· The Baales of Laara Oladehinde and Alagemo represents the Alayeluwa The Oba of Igbogbo is His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali (Emugoriade I) – traditional leaders who lent their royal weight to the deliberations.

· The Chief Imam General of Igbe Land – representing the Muslim faithful.

· Representatives of the Christian community – standing in solidarity for the peace of the town.

· The Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the Local Government – who conveyed the full backing and directives of the council.

Their united presence underscored the gravity of the situation and the collective resolve to restore safety across all religious and traditional lines.

With a population of approximately 200,000 residents, Igbe is geographically unique—surrounded by swamps and accessible via only three major roads. This natural fortress, once a source of pride, has now become a challenge as the town experiences rapid urbanization. More people are arriving daily, but among them, authorities say, are criminal elements, including migrants from the Northern States and foreign nationals, who have turned to breaking into homes and scavenging valuable materials—aluminum roofing sheets, electrical wiring, and even household appliances.

Several homes have been ransacked, with windows forced open and walls stripped of fittings. While some suspects have been arrested and handed over to the police, community leaders expressed frustration that many were quickly released due to the absence of witnesses willing to testify in court.

In response, the Igbe leadership, acting on directives from the Local Government and in coordination with the Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, has rolled out a three-point security action plan for all Community Development Associations (CDAs):

1. All CDAs must immediately employ security officers to patrol their respective zones.

2. All hired security personnel are to report directly to the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in their community for proper coordination.

3. All residents are urged to be vigilant and report suspicious movements within their neighborhoods without delay.

In a decisive move to curb the menace, the leaders have placed an indefinite ban on the operations of all Babanbola (scrap collectors) and scavengers across Igbe town. The ban takes effect immediately.

"This is not a witch-hunt, but a necessity for the safety of our people," a community spokesman said. "We cannot continue to watch our homes being dismantled piece by piece."

Enforcement Notice:

Any scavenger or scrap collector found operating within Igbe after this announcement will be detained on the spot. Residents are instructed to inform their CDA chairmen immediately, who have been provided with direct contact numbers of the Arewa (Northern community) head in the LCDA for proper handover and further action.

Security Committee and Levy

In another key resolution, the gathering approved the appointment of a finance and logistics committee tasked with determining the amount to be contributed by residents and businesses toward empowering a general security apparatus for Igbe. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within one week.

Furthermore, the leadership has outlined a wish list of operational equipment to be procured with the raised funds, including:

· Motorcycles for rapid response and patrol of narrow streets.

· Three-wheelers (tricycles / Keke NAPEP) for medium-range patrols.

· Small buses (Shuttle buses / Korope) for mass movement of security personnel and evacuation of suspects.

These assets, once acquired, will be deployed under the supervision of the JTF commander to ensure swift and coordinated response to distress calls across the town.

Security sources confirm that joint patrols will commence within 48 hours, and community leaders are calling on all law-abiding residents to cooperate fully.

"We must take back our town," one elder declared. "Igbe belongs to all of us, and we will protect it together."

For further updates, stay tuned to IgbeNews.