{
  "id": 15651039,
  "title": "Zamfara govt claims scrap dealers stole N3bn wires earmarked for electricity project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/zamfara-govt-claims-scrap-dealers-stole-n3bn-wires-earmarked-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T18:17:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ripples Nigeria",
    "slug": "ripples-nigeria",
    "url": "https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/zamfara-govt-claims-scrap-dealers-stole-n3bn-wires-earmarked-for-electricity-project/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zamfara's government has accused scrap dealers of stealing N3 billion worth of wires intended for an electricity project connecting Damaturu in Yobe State to Maiduguri. Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdulrahman Bundi, revealed this during a meeting with business operators in Maiduguri. The governor, Babagana Zulum, banned the scrap metal trade in the state to protect public assets and enhance security. He explained that the ban was not intended to harm the livelihoods of the operators, who were losing their lives in the scavenging process. Zulum disclosed that the government had spent more than N3 billion on the electricity distribution line, but the wires were lost due to theft by scavengers. Security agencies also claimed that terrorists collaborated with scavengers to sell the stolen metals. Despite the ban, Zulum permitted operators to evacuate their accumulated stocks at selected locations to minimize the impact on legitimate businesses.",
  "summary": "The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said wires purchased by the state government worth N3 billion has… The post Zamfara govt claims scrap dealers stole N3bn wires earmarked for electricity project appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}