Niger Gov’t Bans Cattle Markets, Restricts Movement Of Motorcycles

Niger State Government has announced the suspension of all
weekly cattle markets across the state as part of measures to
curtail the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnappings,
effective from September 1, 2021.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane,
also said in a statement on Tuesday, that any vehicle carrying
cattle into the state must show a Way-bill and evidence of origin
where cattle were purchased and their destination.

The State had also banned the sale of petroleum products in
Jerry Cans or any other containers at filling stations and
operations of trucks carrying firewoods and timbers.

He said movement of motorcycles in Minna and environs are only
allowed from 6am to 6pm.

Matane further said all petroleum stations were not allowed to
sell the product of more than N10,000 to a vehicle at a time.

He also directed filling stations to be vigilant of vehicles or
motorcycles coming for repeat purchases.

It was also gathered that the ban on motorcycles would be
extended to areas where banditry and kidnappings have
persisted.

These measures came five days after the State Governor, Abubakar
Sani Bello, vowed while receiving the Tegina Islamiyya Children at
the Government House in Minna that he would put in place necessary
measures to deal with the criminals in the state.

The SSG said: “Government is aware of the inconveniences the
measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the
overall interest of the State.”

Ban on sales of used clothes

However, Our correspondent gathered that the state government is
also planning to ban the sales of fairly used clothes especially
the cardigan and distribution of loaves of bread using cartons on
motorcycles as part of measures, as some were alleged to serve as
informants and suppliers of guns to the bandits and other
criminals.

“Government is still contemplating on the ban on hawking and
supply of loaves of bread with cartons on motorcycles and the sales
of cardigans, popularly known as Sweater.

“It is believed that those guys conceal guns in the bread while
they are suppliers of sweaters to bandits,” the source said.

Measures too stringent

But a Minna-based Civil Society Organisation, the Blue
Resolution Initiative, said the measures were too stringent unless
the government was ready to provide alternatives to cushion the
hardship the masses might face.

The President of the initiative, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar,
said; “even small scale businesses that are trying to thrive will
die because the owners close around 10pm.

“The ban on movement of motorcycles in Minna is not ideal. And
for markets, no attack has taken place in any markets. So the
livelihood of many rural people is also at a stake.”

Niger State Government has announced the suspension of all
weekly cattle markets across the state as part of measures to
curtail the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnappings,
effective from September 1, 2021.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane,
also said in a statement on Tuesday, that any vehicle carrying
cattle into the state must show a Way-bill and evidence of origin
where cattle were purchased and their destination.

The State had also banned the sale of petroleum products in
Jerry Cans or any other containers at filling stations and
operations of trucks carrying firewoods and timbers.

He said movement of motorcycles in Minna and environs are only
allowed from 6am to 6pm.

Matane further said all petroleum stations were not allowed to
sell the product of more than N10,000 to a vehicle at a time.

He also directed filling stations to be vigilant of vehicles or
motorcycles coming for repeat purchases.

It was also gathered that the ban on motorcycles would be
extended to areas where banditry and kidnappings have
persisted.

These measures came five days after the State Governor, Abubakar
Sani Bello, vowed while receiving the Tegina Islamiyya Children at
the Government House in Minna that he would put in place necessary
measures to deal with the criminals in the state.

The SSG said: “Government is aware of the inconveniences the
measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the
overall interest of the State.”

Ban on sales of used clothes

However, Our correspondent gathered that the state government is
also planning to ban the sales of fairly used clothes especially
the cardigan and distribution of loaves of bread using cartons on
motorcycles as part of measures, as some were alleged to serve as
informants and suppliers of guns to the bandits and other
criminals.

“Government is still contemplating on the ban on hawking and
supply of loaves of bread with cartons on motorcycles and the sales
of cardigans, popularly known as Sweater.

“It is believed that those guys conceal guns in the bread while
they are suppliers of sweaters to bandits,” the source said.

Measures too stringent

But a Minna-based Civil Society Organisation, the Blue
Resolution Initiative, said the measures were too stringent unless
the government was ready to provide alternatives to cushion the
hardship the masses might face.

The President of the initiative, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar,
said; “even small scale businesses that are trying to thrive will
die because the owners close around 10pm.

“The ban on movement of motorcycles in Minna is not ideal. And
for markets, no attack has taken place in any markets. So the
livelihood of many rural people is also at a stake.”