Niger State government has suspended all cattle markets across the state and also banned sale of petrol in jerrycans.
Niger is the fourth state to take this decision after Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina – all states plagued by raging banditry and kidnapping for ransom.
A statement by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed I. Matane, on Tuesday said the decision is part of measures to address security challenges in the state.
He said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has approved these measures which will take effect from Wednesday, September 1.
Some of these measures, according to the statement, include:
“All weekly cattle markets across the State are hereby suspended.
“Any vehicle carrying cattle into the State must show Way-bill and evidence of the origin where the cattle were purchased and their destination.
“Sale of petroleum products in jerry cans or any other containers at filling stations in the State is hereby banned.
@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.
“Government suspends the operation of trucks carrying firewood/timber across the State.
“All motorcycles are only allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m across the State.”
He said the government is aware of the inconveniences the measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state.
The government called on the people of the state to be very vigilant, security conscious and report all suspicious characters, movements or objects to security agents, adding that security is everybody’s business and that all hands must be on deck in complementing government’s efforts toward safeguarding lives and property of citizens.
“Government has also directed security agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of these measures,” the statement said.
