₦3bn Cable Theft: Scrap Dealers Challenge Zulum To Produce Evidence

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has challenged Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to provide verifiable evidence to substantiate his allegation that scrap metal scavengers stole electrical cables reportedly worth ₦3 billion.

The association, through its Deputy National President, Comrade Aminu Hassan Soja, demanded clarification on the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft, including the contractor responsible for the project, the year it was executed, whether the cables were supplied and installed, and when the alleged incident occurred.

In a press statement, Soja questioned the basis of the allegation, particularly given that scrap metal activities had reportedly been banned in Borno State for more than three years.

He argued that the government should provide concrete evidence before attributing the alleged loss to scrap dealers, warning against making sweeping accusations against an entire industry without establishing individual responsibility.

“Governor Zulum must not use scrap dealers as scapegoats to conceal the government’s failures in providing basic social amenities and infrastructure. You cannot accuse an entire industry without presenting credible evidence,” Soja stated.

The NASWDEN deputy national president also expressed concern over what he described as attempts to associate legitimate scrap and waste dealers with criminal activities, insisting that the association had no affiliation with Boko Haram or any form of terrorism.

According to him, NASWDEN is a legitimate organisation representing law-abiding operators in the scrap and waste management sector, and should not be equated with criminal groups on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.

Soja warned that portraying scrap dealers as criminals without credible evidence could damage the reputation and livelihoods of operators whose businesses contribute to economic activities and waste recycling.

He described the alleged attempt to label scrap dealers as criminals without substantiation as “giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.”

The association called on the Borno State Government to publicly present evidence supporting the allegation, identify those responsible if a crime had occurred, and refrain from making generalised accusations against legitimate business operators.

NASWDEN maintained that any allegation of theft should be investigated through appropriate channels, with responsibility established on the basis of verifiable facts rather than assumptions or collective blame.

The statement was signed by Comrade Aminu Hassan Soja, Deputy National President of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria.