Butchers operating in a popular abattoir at the Swali Market in Yenagoa have closed shops to protest alleged forceful levies by suspected members of notorious cult groups.
The butchers, it was gathered, were forced to pay N1,000 before any cow could be slaughtered in the market.
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The cult groups identified as Bobos and Greenlanders were led by one Daddy boy alleged to be a loyalist to an influential politician in the state.
Investigation indicates that the activities of the cult groups have been going on for over three months in the market with over N1.8million illegally collected from the members of the butchers association on numbers of cows delivered to the market.
A butcher, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the refusal by the transporters conveying cows to the abattoir denied Bayelsa residents of beef on Friday.
Meanwhile, residents of Yenagoa have expressed displeasure over the closure of the beef market and called on the government to intervene.
