hadid kilo in N’Djamena: rising scrap trade fuels child theft concerns

The bustling streets of N’Djamena are echoing with a new cry: « Hadid kilo ! Hadid kilo ! ». Behind this phrase lies a thriving scrap metal trade that has quietly taken over the city’s informal economy. Ambient scavengers, pushing overloaded carts, now dominate sidewalks and markets, offering small cash incentives that are increasingly luring children into theft.

This phenomenon, locally known as « Hadid kilo » — or « iron per kilo » — has expanded rapidly in recent months. While some traders operate openly, many are unregistered, including individuals who have crossed borders from neighboring countries like Niger and Nigeria. Their presence, often without proper permits, highlights a growing challenge for local authorities in monitoring and regulating the sector.

Disturbing reports have surfaced across multiple neighborhoods. In Ngabo, a 10-year-old child sold his mother’s gas cylinder to a scrap dealer for just 600 FCFA. In Ndjari, an 8-year-old exchanged his younger brother’s bicycle for 250 FCFA. And in Zafaye, a child sold part of a family vehicle’s engine for 1,000 FCFA. These incidents reveal a troubling pattern — children are being enticed to steal household items and sell them at bargain prices to itinerant scrap merchants.

Parents and community members are increasingly alarmed. Many view this trade as a direct catalyst for juvenile delinquency. The promise of quick cash, even in small amounts, is eroding moral boundaries and pushing minors toward theft and deception. « It’s not just about the money, » shared one local mother. « It’s about the values we’re losing. These children are being taught that stealing is acceptable if it puts food on the table. »

Local leaders and residents are now urging immediate government intervention. Among their demands: a total ban on scrap purchases from children, stricter oversight of mobile scrap traders, and stronger enforcement in neighborhoods and markets. They emphasize the need to protect minors not only from theft but from a cycle of poverty and crime that could define their future.

Child advocates warn that without decisive action, the « Hadid kilo » trade could escalate into a full-blown social crisis. The risk isn’t just material loss — it’s the erosion of trust, safety, and hope for N’Djamena’s youngest generation. Authorities are being called upon to act swiftly, not only to curb theft but to safeguard the moral and educational foundation of the city’s youth.