Governor Babagana Zulum announced on Monday a total ban on metal scavenging in Borno State with immediate effect.
The governor declared that an executive order would subsequently be issued to that effect.
Zulum made the announcement after sighting some metals vandalised by scavengers from government structures during a visit to the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri, the state capital.
“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 it and announce the ban on metal scavenging in Borno till further notice. I will sign an executive order banning all forms of metal scavenging in Borno,” Zulum said.
The governor lamented that many scavengers have lost their lives to terrorists while trying to vandalise items from deserted communities.