By Our Correspondent

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has disclosed that the state lost electricity distribution wires worth billions of naira to metal scavengers, including materials meant for a power line project valued at over ₦3 billion.

Zulum said the incident was among the major security and infrastructure concerns that prompted his administration to impose a ban on scrap metal trading across the state.

The governor made this known over the weekend during a meeting with scrap metal dealers, where he urged them to submit proposals on how they could continue their businesses without compromising security or causing damage to public infrastructure.

According to him, the decision to ban scrap metal trading was not aimed at taking away the livelihoods of those engaged in the business but was necessary to protect public assets and address security threats associated with the activities of some operators.

Zulum stressed the need for a workable arrangement that would allow legitimate traders to earn a living while ensuring that their businesses did not become a channel for the theft of valuable public infrastructure.

The governor’s remarks highlight the challenges facing the state in protecting critical infrastructure, particularly electricity facilities, as the government seeks to balance economic activities with public safety and security.