Butchers, traders lament closure of Borno cattle market by military

BORNO State Chapter of National Association of Butchers (NASB) yesterday condemned the closure of Maiduguri cattle market and abattoir by the military.

Addressing a press conference yesterday at the Ramat Shopping Complex, Maiduguri, the Chairman, NASB, Alhaji Abubakar Gula, disclosed that the closure of the cattle market and abattoir has caused “socio-economic hardship and trauma,” as many of his members have been rendered jobless and without source of income.

He said despite the association’s appeals and complaints along with members of Livestock Traders Association (LITA) to the military, the Shehu of Borno and other relevant authorities over the closure, which has lasted three weeks, the abattoir and market remained closed.

His words: “Right from the leaders of sector two of the military, up to the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of Nigerian Army and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, we presented our complaints over the closure of the market and abattoir, but the representative of the GOC told us he will look into the issue.”

He added: “After our visit to the GOC, the abattoir and the market were still sealed off.”

Gula said about 250-180 cattle and 600-700 sheep and goats are slaughtered in the abattoir daily while over 200,040 butchers were barred from their means of livelihood.

He said since the closure, members of the association have lost over a million livestock, because they were not allowed to feed or slaughter any animal at the abattoir.

“With the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, another calamity has occurred, with over a million butchers out of business to fend for themselves,” Gula stated.

He accused the military and other authorities of being insensitive to the plight of the butchers and meat sellers by the closure.