Niger State Government Bans Cattle Markets, Issues New Security Directives

Like Kaduna and Katsina States, the Niger State Authorities has issued a set of directives to curb the rising insecurity and banditry bedevilling the State.

Niger State Authorities has introduced the suspension of all weekly cattle markets throughout the state as a part of measures to curtail the rising circumstances of armed banditry and kidnappings, efficient from September 1, 2021.

The Secretary to the State Authorities, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, additionally stated in an announcement on Tuesday, that any car carrying cattle into the state should present a Manner-bill and proof of origin the place cattle had been bought and their vacation spot.

The State had additionally banned the sale of petroleum merchandise in Jerry Cans or another containers at filling stations and operations of vans carrying firewoods and timbers.

He stated motion of bikes in Minna and environs are solely allowed from 6am to 6pm.

Matane additional stated all petroleum stations weren’t allowed to promote the product of greater than N10,000 to a car at a time.

He additionally directed filling stations to be vigilant of automobiles or bikes coming for repeat purchases.

It was additionally gathered that the ban on bikes can be prolonged to areas the place banditry and kidnappings have persevered.

These measures got here 5 days after the State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, vowed whereas receiving the Tegina Islamiyya Kids on the Authorities Home in Minna that he would put in place vital measures to cope with the criminals within the state.

The SSG stated: “Authorities is conscious of the inconveniences the measures would trigger the individuals, however the determination was taken within the total curiosity of the State.”

Ban on gross sales of used garments

Day by day Belief, nevertheless, gathered that the state authorities can also be planning to ban the gross sales of pretty used garments particularly the cardigan and distribution of loaves of bread utilizing cartons on bikes as a part of measures, as some had been alleged to function informants and suppliers of weapons to the bandits and different criminals.

“Authorities continues to be considering on the ban on hawking and provide of loaves of bread with cartons on bikes and the gross sales of cardigans, popularly often called Sweater.

“It’s believed that these guys conceal weapons within the bread whereas they’re suppliers of sweaters to bandits,” the supply stated.

Measures too stringent

However a Minna-based Civil Society Organisation, the Blue Decision Initiative, stated the measures had been too stringent except the federal government was prepared to offer alternate options to cushion the hardship the lots may face.

The President of the initiative, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar, stated; “even small scale companies which might be trying to thrive will die as a result of the house owners shut round 10pm.

“The ban on motion of bikes in Minna will not be very best. And for markets, no assault has taken place in any markets. So the livelihood of many rural individuals can also be at a stake.”