Borno State Governor Reports ₦3bn Loss to Scavengers

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum disclosed that metal scavengers have stolen electricity distribution wires worth billions of naira, including materials from a power line project valued at over ₦3 billion.

Zulum stated that the loss contributed to security and infrastructure challenges, prompting his administration to implement a ban on scrap metal trading within the state.

The governor also highlighted that scavengers face heightened risks, especially in areas where security conditions remain unstable for civilian operations.

Zulum emphasized that the administration's actions were not motivated by personal gain, and that legitimate operators were permitted to transport collected scrap metal from designated sites to mitigate the impact of the ban.