Scavengers Stole Wires from N3bn Power Line — Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has accused metal scavengers of stealing wires from a power line valued at ₦3 billion, raising fresh concerns over the vandalism of critical public infrastructure.

The governor has repeatedly warned that the illegal removal of metals from government installations undermines public investment, disrupts essential services and creates additional costs for taxpayers.

The latest concerns come amid his administration’s efforts to address the activities of scrap-metal dealers and scavengers across the state.

On Saturday, October 17, Zulum met with operators affected by the state’s ban on metal scavenging at the Government House in Maiduguri. He said his administration might consider reviewing the ban if the operators could demonstrate that their activities would not contribute to insecurity or the destruction of public property.

The governor urged the operators to submit proposals outlining how they could conduct their businesses without facilitating the theft or vandalism of public assets.

He stressed that any decision to allow the trade to resume would depend on effective safeguards against the destruction of electricity cables, school facilities, hospital equipment and other government property.

Zulum said the ban was introduced to protect the state’s infrastructure and security, rather than to deprive legitimate operators of their livelihoods.

The Borno State Government imposed the ban on metal scavenging across all 27 local government areas in July 2023 after the governor raised concerns about the theft of streetlights, telecommunications poles, vehicles and other public assets.

The state has also faced incidents involving the vandalism of electricity infrastructure. In September 2026, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps announced the arrest of 13 people suspected of vandalising high-tension electricity cables in Borno State.

The incidents have highlighted the challenges facing authorities seeking to protect power infrastructure and improve electricity supply.

At Saturday’s meeting, Zulum announced ₦200 million in assistance for affected scavengers to help cushion the economic impact of the ban. He also approved a two-week window for operators to evacuate scrap materials accumulated before the restriction and identified 72 sites for the exercise.

The governor encouraged the operators to develop workable proposals, adding that alternative livelihood opportunities could be considered if the scrap-metal trade could not resume safely.

He maintained that protecting public infrastructure and restoring stability remained priorities for his administration.

The government’s position suggests that any future relaxation of the ban will depend on whether the authorities can establish a system that allows legitimate recycling activities while preventing the theft of public assets.