ASHENEWS reports that the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has imposed an indefinite ban on metal scavenging activities across all 27 local government areas of the state.
This, the governor said is aimed at forestalling continued killings of scavengers by Boko Haram insurgents at the outskirts of some local government areas.
According to the governor, an unknown number of youth who venture into deserted communities in search of metals have been ambushed and killed by insurgents.
This will also address theft of public and private property.
Zulum, while speaking on Monday said that scavengers in the state have become notorious for destroying both public and private properties in most local government areas where the activities of Boko Haram forced residents to flee.
“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,” he added.
He added that the state government will work closely with security agencies to effectively enforce the ban.
