Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 6, 1441-1450 2025 Publisher: Learning Gate DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v9i6.8172 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate History: Received: 26 March 2025; Revised: 4 June 2025; Accepted: 9 June 2025; Published: 18 June 2025 * Correspondence: rieneji2@yahoo.com Scrap picking as smokescreen for criminal activities: The case of cross River North, Nigeria Rosemary Ine Eneji1*, Uzoh Esther E-C2, Tangban Egbe Ebagu3, Bassey Ekpenyong Anam4, Ede Victor Itita5 1Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria; rieneji2@yahoo.com (R.I.E.). 2,3,5Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, Nigeria. 4Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Abstract: Criminal activities arising from scrap-picking activities have become a recurring concern in many towns and cities in Cross River State of Nigeria, due to increasing demand for used or recyclable materials in the country. This study examined how scrap-picking contributes to incidences of crime in the state, focusing on trends and challenges. The study was carried out in Cross River State, where scrap pickers, scrap dealers, and security agents in Calabar South, Biase, and Bekwarra Local Government Areas were studied, in addition to community leaders and youths. One hundred and eight (108) persons participated in the study, which also involved focused group discussions and interviews. We found that scrap-picking has played a major role in the vandalization of public and private facilities in the state. Children less than 18 years of age were actively involved in scrap-picking activities, making them miss school, become psychologically stressed, and impairing their development. We suggest that community participation in addressing vandalism, metal theft, and child labor should be intensified. The interplay between scrap-picking and crime identified in this study should help law enforcement agencies and responsible stakeholders address some crime challenges and guide the development of targeted interventions to address criminal activities associated with scrap-picking. Keywords: Crime, Nigeria, Poverty, Recycling, Scrap metal, Teenagers. 1. Introduction Scrap picking is one of the ways of waste management in many countries, particularly third-world countries and has become a popular business venture due to its economic value and environmental benefits [1]. In Nigeria, scrap pickers are a transient group who move around the streets collecting used materials such as metals, electronics, cartons, plastics, and many others. Scraps are commonly collected from waste bins, dumpsites, and open dumps and sometimes they may be purchased from owners Morais, et al. [2]. Nuripuoh, et al. [3] states that approximately, two per cent of the world’s population engage in the scrap-picking business. It has been estimated that about 1 per cent of the population in cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America rely on scrap picking as a source of livelihood [4]. The demand for scraps has increased worldwide in the last decade [5]. According to Yamaguchi [6] metals (85%), paper (10%) and plastics (5%) are the most traded waste materials among the G20 members. Statistically, over 90 per cent of stainless steel is being recycled worldwide. For instance, reports in 2017 as captured by the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation [7] revealed that more than 600 million tonnes of steel were recycled worldwide. In Europe, the European Steel Association [8] also observed that more than 160 million tonnes of steel (56% of all steel produced) were scraps. The prices of scrap have skyrocketed in the international market and this has affected the growth of the scrap metal industry and local scrap pickers. Metal trade and sales are vital to the green https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4611-5992 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9762-6816 https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0047-5894 1442 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 6: 1441-1450, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v9i6.8172 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate economy that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Solid waste management has contributed to economic growth and environmental protection [9]. Biliaminu [10] considered the scrap-picking industry in Nigeria to be not just a way of making money but that it plays a significant role in the country's effort in achieving environmental protection as one of the SDGs. The recycling industry supports the achievement of the SDGs while contributing to a greener, more prosperous society for everyone. Scrap pickers are mostly found at dumpsites and neighbourhoods searching for metal objects. Also, auto mechanic workshops are a rich source of scrap metals. Another popular source of scrap pickers is the homes, where owners of used materials (e.g., copper, iron aluminium, and plastics) exchange them for money or new plastic products, taking the form of trade by barter. In some cases, these scraps may be exported to other parts of the world, contributing to international trade. Recently, metal theft and vandalism have become a recurring incidence and some authorities attribute them to scrap picking activities [11]. According to Sunday [12] there were several reports of criminal activities in Nigeria’s federal capital territory (FCT) of Abuja involving scrap pickers, especially metal theft, assault, and vandalisation of private and public properties. These criminal activities of scrap pickers have become a source of concern and threat to residents of the FCT. In Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, the government has banned scrap scavengers, who are usually seen with rusty carts, and roaming around neighbourhoods for scrap picking in response to the alleged killing of residents by scrap pickers in the state [13]. Generally, the enforcement of the law against scrap picking is weak. In Cross River State of Nigeria, there is no existing law against the operations of scrap pickers, despite their suspected involvement in criminal activities. It is also worrisome that children under 18 years of age are actively involved in the business in the state, making many of them miss school, exposing them to sharp objects, hazardous materials, and toxic substances that can lead to infections, injuries, and long-term health problems. This study was carried out to determine the incidence and magnitude of crime due to scrap picking in Cross River State of Nigeria. The variables studies were vandalism, metal theft, and child labour associated with scrap picking. 2. Methodology 2.1. The Research Area The study was carried out in Cross River State of Nigeria with an area of 23,072,425 square kilometres and an estimated population of about 4,406,200 people. The state is divided into three political (Senatorial) zones: South, Central and North. For this study, one location - Local Government Area, was selected per zone (Calabar South, Abi and Bekwarra). The study population comprised community leaders, youths, scrap pickers, scrap dealers and security agents who have attained the age of 18 or more years, residing in Calabar South, Abi and Bekwarra Local Governments Areas (LGAs). These LGAs had populations of 219,800, 291,700 and 256,000 respectively. One hundred and eight (108) persons were purposively selected for the study, with 36 participants for each of the selected LGAs and their composition is shown in Table 1. Table 1. Distribution of study participants. LGA Community Leaders/Youth/ Stakeholders Scrap pickers/Dealers Security Agents Total Calabar South 12 12 12 36 Abi 12 12 12 36 Bekwarra 12 12 12 36 Total 36 36 36 108 2.2. Data Collection The data were collected during focus group discussions and in-depth interviews (IDI). The interviews were done in English language but provision was made for interpretation where necessary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabar_South https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabar_South https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabar_South 1443 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 6: 1441-1450, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v9i6.8172 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Two Research Assistants (RAs) were engaged to assist with collection of data. Nine interactive sessions with the focus group discussions (90 participants) were held across the selected LGAs. Each session had ten (10) participants; eighteen participants were involved in IDI whose schedule had 20 items and all questions in the interview guide were open-ended to enable participants express their (recorded) opinions freely. 2.3. Data Analysis The data were analysed in themes using the thematic analysis method. The socio-demographic data of the participants were summarized descriptively using frequency tables and simple percentages. 3. Results Table 2 shows the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, with 70 (78.70%) of them being male and 23 (21.30%) female. In terms of age 20 (18.52%) participants were between 18 and 23 years, 18 (16.67%) were between 24 and 28 years, 25 (23.15%) were between 29 and 34 years, 30 (27.78%) were between 35 and 40 years and 15 (13.89%) were 41 years and above. Thus, the modal age of the participants was between 35 and 40 years. Based on level of education, 39 participants (36.11%) had primary education, 53 (49.07%) had secondary education and 16 (14.81%) had tertiary education. The result showed that the participants were literate enough to offer their opinions on the study. Forty-two (38.89%) participants were single, 50 (46.30%) were married, 2 (1.85%) were divorced and 14 (12.96%) were widowed. Of the participants, 60 (55.56%) were into business, 4 (3.70%) had paid job, 38 (35.19%) were farmers, and 6 (5.56%) were into other occupations. The participants had varied religious affiliations, with 60 (55.56%) being Christians, 40 (37.03%) Muslims and 8 (7.41%) were adherents of traditional religion. On the basis of monthly earned income, 8 (7.41%) participants earned less than N30, 000, 30 (27.78%) earned between N30,000 and N50,000 and 70 (61.81%) earned N51,000 or more. Thus, about 90 % of them earned above the minimum wage. 1444 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 9, No. 6: 1441-1450, 2025 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v9i6.8172 © 2025 by the authors; licensee Learning Gate Table 2. Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants (n = 108). Characteristics No. of respondents % Sex: Male 85 78.70 Female 23 21.30 Age (Years) 18-23 20 18.52 24-28 18 16.67 29-34 25 23.15 35-40 30 27.78 41+ 15 13.89 Level of education: No formal education 0 0.00 Primary school 39 36.11 Secondary school 53 49.07 Tertiary institution 16 14.81 Marital status: Single 42 38.89 Married 50 46.30 Divorced 2 1.85 Widowed 14 12.96 Occupation: Business 60 55.56 Paid job 4 3.70 Farming 38 35.19 Others 6 5.56 Religion: Christianity 60 55.56 Islam 40 37.03 Traditional religion 8 7.41 Monthly earned income: