Niger
State Governor Abubakar Bello has suspended the operation of cattle markets
across the state.
This was communicated in a
statement signed on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
Ahmed Matane, which stated that it was part of measures to address security
challenges in the state.
The directive is expected to take
effect from Wednesday.
“Any vehicle carrying cattle into
the state must show way-bill and evidence of the origin where the cattle were
purchased and their destination,” the statement added.
It also noted that the state
government had banned the sale of petroleum products in jerry cans or any other
containers at filling stations.
“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,” the statement read.
The government also said it had
suspended the operation of trucks carrying firewood/timber across the state,
adding that all motorcycles are only allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m to 6:00
p.m.
“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”.
The government, therefore, called
on the people of the state to be very vigilant, security conscious and report
all suspicious characters, movements or objects to security agents.
They also directed security
agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of these
measures.
