Scrap dealers reject Zulum’s claims, deny role in ₦3bn cable theft

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has disputed allegations by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, linking scrap metal scavengers to the theft of electrical cables worth N3 billion in the state.

NASWDEN challenged the Borno State Governor to present concrete evidence linking its members to the crime.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Deputy National President of the association, Aminu Hassan Soja, demanded that the Borno State Government provide full details of the affected power project, including the handling contractor and the project execution timeline.

Soja raised concerns over the allegations of the governor, pointing out that scrap metal activities have been officially prohibited in Borno State for over three years.

The association warned against using legitimate business operators to cover up for institutional shortcomings in basic infrastructure delivery is unacceptable.

“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,” the statement read in part.

NASWDEN categorically distanced its members from Boko Haram and all forms of terrorism, urging the state government to identify and prosecute the actual perpetrators rather than making blanket accusations against the industry.