Borno Government has criminalised metal scavenging across the state.
The measure was taken against the backdrop of spate of killings of scavengers by Boko Haram insurgents at the outskirts of some local government areas and to stop theft of public and private property.
Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum while announcing the ban on Monday, said it was occassioned by habitual killings of scavengers and the latter’s activities which have become a pastime in the state.
According to him, “Within the last five years, many people were killed as a result of metal scavenging. That has informed the government of Borno State to investigate such nefarious activities.
“You have seen this place, all these are government properties and behind you are properties belonging to telecommunication companies. Such activities can only be tagged as economic sabotage both to the federal and state governments. Therefore, I have directed the ban of metal scavenging in all 27 local governments until further notice.”
