Maiduguri, June 8, 2026 – Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has called on the Federal Government to prevent the alleged unlawful disposal of critical assets belonging to the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), warning that such actions could weaken agricultural and water infrastructure in the region.
The governor’s appeal was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Maiduguri by his spokesperson, Dauda Illiya.
Zulum raised concern over reports suggesting attempts to auction off functional heavy-duty equipment under the pretext of scrap metal sales.
He alleged that certain individuals were moving to remove valuable machinery and strategic installations from the CBDA headquarters and booster stations across northern Borno.
“It has come to the attention of the Borno State Government that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to cart away the heavy equipment domiciled at the CBDA premises and booster stations across Northern Borno in the name of scrap metal auctioning.
“These assets were acquired by the Federal Government at significant cost and remain serviceable. There is no justification for their disposal, as doing so would cripple the CBDA and severely affect agricultural development in the state,” he said.
The Chad Basin Development Authority was established by the Federal Government to develop agricultural and water resources within the Lake Chad Basin through irrigation farming, livestock production, water supply, and rural development programmes.
Zulum noted that recent changes in the agency’s leadership by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources were intended to revitalize its operations and strengthen food security and rural livelihoods across the North-East.
He listed the affected assets as irrigation stations, booster plants, drilling machines, power generation units, tractors, bulldozers, harvesters, pipelines, and crop-processing equipment, stressing that many remain functional and essential to the agency’s mandate.
“Removing these equipment pieces under any guise is equivalent to dismantling the CBDA and undermining its core operations,” he warned.
The governor cautioned that such actions could frustrate federal efforts aimed at improving food production, supporting post-insurgency recovery, and boosting rural development in the region.
While acknowledging ongoing government efforts to address insecurity and resettle displaced persons, Zulum expressed concern that the alleged activities could undermine national development priorities.
He also raised concerns over illegal metal scavenging in the state, linking it to criminal activity and insecurity in vulnerable communities.
According to him, scrap metal operations have been exploited by criminal elements in conflict-affected areas, posing additional security risks.
“There is a strong link between insurgency, criminality and illegal metal scavenging in Borno State.
“Allowing such activities could worsen insecurity and even pose risks to national infrastructure and security operations,” he said.
Zulum reiterated that the state’s ban on scrap metal activities remains in force, warning that any attempt to remove metals or public equipment would not be tolerated.
He added that recovery efforts in Borno required the preservation of public infrastructure to support agriculture and industrial development.
The governor appealed directly to the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to halt any plans to auction CBDA assets.
He also urged security agencies to intensify surveillance around CBDA facilities and other critical infrastructure across the state to prevent vandalism and asset stripping.