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Borno State bans scrap metal trade to protect infrastructure
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has imposed a ban on the scrap metal trade to protect public infrastructure and enhance regional security. The decision follows the theft of electrical materials and metals worth billions of naira, including the complete stripping of wires from a 3 billion naira electricity distribution line connecting Damaturu to Maiduguri.
Zulum cited security intelligence suggesting that insurgents utilize scrap metal trading platforms to sell looted materials. Additionally, the Governor noted that scavenging activities in unsafe areas have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of workers. To mitigate the economic impact, the government has offered a waiver allowing licensed traders to evacuate existing stock from approved locations.
In a separate security development, Governor Zulum has called on the Nigerian Army to immediately launch ‘Operation Lake Sanity.’ The proposed offensive aims to clear insurgents from the Lake Chad islands and waterways, areas where a comprehensive military operation has not been conducted for over a decade. The request was made during a visit by Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu to assess troop morale and operations.
Entities
Babagana Umara Zulum · Borno State · Lake Chad · Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu · Nigerian Army
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Scavengers stripped wires from a Damaturu-to-Maiduguri electricity distribution line that cost over 3 billion naira. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hundreds of scavengers were killed while working in villages that are not yet safe for civilian activities. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Security intelligence suggests insurgents use scrap metal platforms to sell looted materials. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A comprehensive military operation has not been conducted in the Lake Chad islands for 10 to 15 years. von.gov.ng
- [● 2 SOURCES] The state government has banned the scrap metal trade in Borno State. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Governor urged the Nigerian Army to launch Operation Lake Sanity to clear insurgents from Lake Chad islands. von.gov.ng
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government granted a waiver for operators to evacuate stock accumulated before the ban at selected locations. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Borno State has lost infrastructure and metals worth billions of naira to scavengers. nationalaccordnewspaper.com · zalebs.com