Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has authorised scrap metal dealers to evacuate stocks accumulated before the ban on their activities, while the government considers ways to regulate the trade without compromising security or damaging public infrastructure.
Zulum announced the waiver on Saturday while addressing scrap metal operators, following concerns over the destruction of public assets and the alleged exploitation of the trade by insurgents.
The governor said Borno had suffered losses worth billions of naira through the activities of metal scavengers, popularly known as Ajakuta, prompting the government to restrict the trade to protect critical infrastructure and public safety.
He urged the operators to submit proposals on how they could continue their businesses without posing security risks or damaging public property.
Zulum stressed that the ban was not intended to deprive legitimate dealers of their livelihoods but was necessary to address security threats associated with the trade.
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He also expressed concern over the deaths of hundreds of scrap metal scavengers who ventured into villages where security conditions remained unsafe for civilian activities.
According to the governor, security intelligence available to the government indicated that insurgents were exploiting the trade to dispose of looted materials.
He said the government could not disregard such intelligence at the expense of public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Zulum maintained that the restriction was aimed at safeguarding lives and property rather than preventing operators from earning a living.
The waiver, which permits dealers to evacuate existing stocks from designated locations, is expected to offer some relief to legitimate operators as the government considers proposals for regulating their activities.
