Insecurity: Niger suspends ALL weekly cattle markets

The Niger government has ordered the suspension of activities at all weekly cattle markets in the state.

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the statement which was signed by Ahmed Matane, secretary to the state government (SSG), the governor has also banned the sale of fuel in jerrycans.

The state also said movement of cattle in and out of Niger will be subject to strict security checks, while trucks carrying timber have been banned from operating for now.

“As part of measures to address security challenges in Niger state, the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has approved the following measures with effect from Wednesday, 1st September 2021: All weekly cattle markets across the State are hereby suspended; any vehicle carrying cattle into the State must show waybill and evidence of the origin where the cattle were purchased and their destination,” the statement reads.

“Sale of petroleum products in jerrycans or any other containers at filling stations in the State is hereby banned. All filling stations should not sell petrol of more than N10,000 to each vehicle at a time and should be wary of vehicles or motorcycles coming for repeat purchases.

“Government suspends the operation of trucks carrying firewood/timber across the State. All motorcycles are only allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m across the State.”

The SSG also urged residents to comply with the directives, adding that “government is aware of the inconveniences the measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State”.

“Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and mayhem bandits and kidnappers are causing to some parts of the State and reiterated its continued determination to rid the State of any security threat,” he said.

“Government is calling on the people of the State to be very vigilant, security conscious and report all suspicious characters, movements or objects to security agents, adding that security is everybody’s business and that all hands must be on deck in complementing the government’s efforts toward safeguarding lives and property of citizens.

“Government has also directed security agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of these measures.”

The development comes days after 90 pupils kidnapped from Salihu Tanko School in Tegina, Rafi LGA of Niger state, regained their freedom — after 16 weeks in captivity.

Narrating their experience, some of the pupils said they were beaten, and had to trek for days while in the custody of their abductors.