Brazen Looters Strip Copper Cables In Broad Daylight

Telecommunication copper cables, plastic conduits, and metal components have been repeatedly looted in broad daylight along an under-construction road in Addis Ababa, with the theft taking place in full view of security personnel and the public, according to residents and eyewitnesses.

The incidents have been reported along the route stretching from Edna Mall to the area commonly known as Beech Huletwhere telecom cables including used plastic tubes and metal parts embedded in concrete pipes have been removed from construction sites.

Observers say the looting has become a regular occurrence since road works began, intensifying over the past month.

Eyewitnesses described groups of organized youths, homeless children, and garbage collectors working together to remove and transport the materials, often without interruption. According to residents, the activity occurs from morning until late at night, sometimes while construction work is ongoing.

A resident familiar with the area told The Reporter that some security officers have allegedly facilitated the practice by negotiating with looters, particularly during nighttime hours.

“The bargaining mostly happens at night,” the resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There are security officers who have received bribes ranging from 30,000 to 280,000 Birr.”

The same source said sections of the copper cables and plastic tubes are sold at prices ranging between 800 to 1,000 Birr, depending on size and condition. The Reporter also observed young people and destitute children breaking concrete pipes on-site to extract metal components while construction crews continued their work nearby.

Local business owners say the theft has become a daily sight along the corridor.

“It looks like no one cares enough to stop it or even question what is happening,” said a shop owner who operates near the construction area. “Construction workers dig the ground, looters collect the cables and damaged plastic tubes, and security forces look the other way as if nothing is happening.”

A source told The Reporter that Ethio telecom initially transported heavy copper cables in four rounds at the start of the road construction. According to the source, the company later halted the transportation.

When contacted to verify the incident, Ethio telecom Chief Communication Officer, Mesay Woubshet, said the institution was not aware of the reported theft. He stated that, given the scale of the corridor projects underway across the city, the incident could be an “isolated case”.

Mesay added that Ethio telecom works through a joint committee with the project owner and the City Administration during ongoing projects to prevent related problems.

“We have a committee working with the City Administration and the project executor to avoid related issues, as similar incidents have always been a threat, even before the start of the corridor project,” he told The Reporter.

He added that incidents involving the theft of the company’s materials are not new.

“Looting of our materials is not new. In some cases, we have found ourselves in the middle of shootings while trying to protect our assets,” he said.

Mesay noted that his office does not have clear information about the specific incident reported in the area, adding that the company usually deploys security personnel in locations where such risks are anticipated.

While the organization maintains that it lacks sufficient details about the incident, observers say similar cases have been reported in different parts of the city during the implementation of the corridor project.

The Ethiopian corridor project has been underway for three years, with the Addis Ababa City Corridor Project launched in December 2022. The project aims to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity in the capital.

The first phase was completed in September 2024, while the second phase began in October 2024, covering 132 kilometers and 2,817 hectares of urban development to enhance infrastructure and public spaces.