Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has revealed that metal scavengers allegedly stole all the wires procured for an electricity distribution project valued at over N3 billion, linking Damaturu in Yobe State to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The governor said the loss, alongside other security concerns, was among the reasons his administration imposed a ban on scrap metal trading in the state.
Zulum disclosed this on Saturday, October 17, 2026, while addressing metal scavengers and other operators in Maiduguri. He urged the traders to present proposals on how they could continue their businesses without threatening public safety or damaging government infrastructure.
According to the governor, the restriction was introduced to protect public assets and address security challenges, rather than to deprive legitimate traders of their means of livelihood.
“We spent more than N3 billion to connect an electricity distribution line from Damaturu to Maiduguri, but unfortunately, we lost all the wires to the metal scavenging activities,” he said.
Zulum also expressed concern over the dangers faced by scavengers operating in communities where security conditions remain unstable. He claimed that hundreds of people involved in metal scavenging had lost their lives while operating in villages considered unsafe for civilian activities.
The governor further alleged that security intelligence indicated that insurgents were using scrap metal trading channels to sell stolen materials.
“We have security intelligence that even the insurgents use your platforms to sell looted metals. So, no responsible government will ignore such intelligence just to be politically correct,” he stated.
Despite the security concerns, Zulum maintained that his administration was mindful of the economic impact of the ban on traders and their families.
He said the government had no personal interest in shutting down their businesses but was determined to prevent the destruction of public infrastructure and activities that could worsen insecurity.
As part of efforts to ease the impact of the restriction on legitimate operators, the governor granted a waiver allowing traders to evacuate scrap materials accumulated before the ban from designated locations.
He also urged the operators to submit workable proposals outlining how they could continue their trade without facilitating insecurity, dealing in stolen materials or damaging public assets.
The move signals the state government’s willingness to consider possible arrangements for legitimate scrap metal businesses, provided the traders can demonstrate that their activities will not undermine security or compromise critical infrastructure.
