Borno Bans Sale Of Dried Meat, Closes Market To Cripple Boko Haram
BEVERLY HILLS, March 04, (THEWILL) – The Borno State Government has banned the sale of dried meat and suspended importation of cattle to the state capital for the next two weeks in order to curtail the activities of Boko Haram terrorists currently engaged in cattle rusting to fund their operations.
According to NAN, the Governor, Kashim Shettima announced the ban, on Friday, at the inauguration of a committee for the management of the Maiduguri Cattle Market in Maiduguri declaring that only the Butchers Association and Cattle Traders Association were permitted to slaughter and sell cattle in the market.
“Importation of cattle to the state capital through all routes and all sources other than the cattle traders association is hereby suspended for two weeks,” he said represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Jidda Shuwa.
“In the same vein, the sale of dried meat is hereby banned, as it had been observed that criminal elements resort to this measure to legitimize their dubious activities ultimately aimed at funding activities of Boko Haram.
“All trading activities in Gamboru Cattle Market, Dusuman, Shuwari and Ngom have been suspended till further notice in line with government's commitment to ensure that no public place is turned to avenue for funding activities of the terrorists.
“Evidence available to security agencies show that most of the cattle being traded at the market were the direct proceeds of cattle rustling perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists.
“They are sold at prohibitive cost to unsuspecting customers through some unscrupulous middle men. The money realized from such transactions will then be channeled to fund the deadly activities of the terrorists.
One of the unforeseen consequences of the market closure is the shortage of meat supply which had led to outcry by members of the public who have been agitating for the market's re-opening.
“In order to satisfy the legitimate demand of the people to end the shortage of meat supply, it has become imperative for government to sanitize the market and streamline the entire process to ensure that all commercial activities are carried out legitimately with effective monitoring.
“The committee will be primarily responsible for the running of the market. In addition, government, after consultation with relevant stakeholders, have decided to introduce measures for immediate implementation.
“This includes the release of N100 million as soft loan to the cattle traders and butchers in the market. The cattle traders association will be given N75 million, while the butchers association will get N25 million.
“No individual or organisation with the exception of these bodies is authorised to conduct business in the market”, he said.
Story by David Oputah