Scavengers stole wires from N3bn power line — Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, revealed that metal scavengers pilfered power line wires valued at over ₦3 billion from the state. The loss is part of a range of security and infrastructure concerns that prompted Zulum's administration to impose a ban on scrap metal trading in the region. Zulum spoke to scrap metal dealers over the weekend, urging them to submit proposals on how they could continue their businesses without endangering security or damaging public infrastructure.

He clarified that the ban was not aimed at eliminating traders' livelihoods but to safeguard public assets and address security risks associated with their activities. Zulum highlighted that the administration had spent more than ₦3 billion on a power line project connecting Damaturu to Maiduguri, but unfortunately, the entire wires were stolen due to metal scavenging.

He also pointed out that these activities had put scavengers at risk, especially in areas where security conditions remained hazardous for civilians. The governor further claimed that security intelligence suggested insurgents were leveraging scrap metal trading channels to sell stolen materials, a threat he deemed unacceptable for political reasons.

Zulum emphasized that his administration had no vested interest in dismantling the businesses but acted out of concern for public safety and state infrastructure protection. He noted that genuine operators were allowed to retrieve scrap metal they had collected before the ban from designated areas to mitigate the ban's impact on their businesses.