Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced a total ban on metal scavenging in the state with immediate effect.
The governor said on Monday that an executive order would be issued.
Mr Zulum announced the ban when he sighted metals vandalised by scavengers from government structures during a visit to the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri.
“All those things are government properties; you can see street lights and communication towers. Such acts can sabotage the activities of state and federal governments.
“We can’t allow that to continue; I want to condemn and announce the ban on metal scavenging in Borno till further notice,” Mr Zulum said.
He observed that many scavengers had lost their lives to insurgents in the bid to vandalise items from deserted communities.
On July 7, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps arrested six suspects for vandalising the NITEL communication mast in Chiki village, Chibok Local Government Area.
