By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has disclosed that the state has suffered losses running into billions of naira following the destruction and theft of electrical wires, metal components and public infrastructure by scrap metal scavengers, popularly known as Ajakuta.
Zulum said the scale of damage, coupled with security concerns surrounding the activities of some operators, informed the state government’s decision to suspend scrap metal trading.
The governor spoke on Saturday while meeting with operators in the trade, urging them to develop and submit proposals for conducting their businesses without endangering public infrastructure or undermining security operations.
He explained that the restriction was introduced in the public interest and was not intended to deprive legitimate operators of their means of livelihood.
According to him, the government has no personal interest in shutting down their businesses but must prioritise the protection of public assets and the safety of residents.
“It is deeply concerning to me if one person loses his livelihood for whatever reason in Borno; believe me, there is nothing I stand to gain from banning scrap metal trade rather than addressing the serious security concerns associated with your activities,” Zulum said.
The governor cited the destruction of a major electricity distribution line as an example of the economic consequences of metal scavenging.
“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 further disclosed that hundreds of scavengers had reportedly been killed while searching for metals in rural communities that remained unsafe for civilian activities.
He also raised concerns over intelligence reports suggesting that insurgents were using scrap metal trading channels to dispose of 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,” the governor added.
Despite the restrictions, Zulum announced a waiver permitting operators to evacuate stocks accumulated before the ban from designated locations.
The concession, he said, was intended to cushion the effects of the policy on genuine traders while the government considers measures that could allow legitimate scrap metal businesses to operate without compromising security or exposing public infrastructure to further destruction.
