Kano cattle market: Where 60 trucks arrive, leave weekly

There are many cattle markets in Nigeria, but the one at Wudil is said to be the largest. Daily Trust reports what makes the market the most popular, even in West Africa.

Wudil is one of the major cattle markets in Kano State; and it is popular for that. Located about 39km from Kano city, the market, it was gathered, has existed for decades.

It is believed that in West Africa, the market is a place where one can buy the best breeds.

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According to Alhaji Nasiru Muhammed Wudil, the Chairman of the Association of Amalgamated Livestock Traders, Wudil branch, no fewer than 60 truckloads of cattle arrive and leave the town every market day.

For the people of Wudil, every Friday is a busy day, as thousands of people leave their homes from far and near to participate in the business of livestock buying or selling, business agency and other engagements.

The acting Sarkin Karan Wudil, Alhaji Rabi’u Garko, said the market was the largest in Nigeria and probably West Africa, adding that commercial activities usually start on Wednesday night and continue till Friday.

He also said the market was established almost a century ago, but it was in a different location.

He added that it was relocated to its present position because of a misunderstanding that was said to have erupted between cattle herders and residents of the town over an issue related to the health of the animals.

“When this market started, it was not in its present location, but the people of Wudil and the business community around the area started having disagreement with Fulani herders.

“The herders took the case to the then district head of Wudil, saying their cattle were dying of a strange illness because they were sold in the market.

Based on the allegation and to allow peace reign, the district head ordered for the relocation of the market to its present position. With time, everybody came to the present location,” he said.

He also said the mode of operation of cattle business in Wudil differed from that of other markets. According to him, not everybody has the right to just walk into the market and display his cattle for sale.

“We have our own way of operation. We give every agent a number, which becomes his trademark for life.

“And the number will be written on all the cattle that belong to him or his sales list.

“No one would be given that number in this market again.

“In the case of death, if his children wish to continue with the business in the same market, they would be given the same number their father had,’’ he added.

Similarly, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed, the assistant secretary, Association of Amalgamated Livestock Traders, Wudil branch, said one of the amazing things associated with the market was the availability of all types of cattle breeds, either for consumption, rearing or breeding.

Cattle from Sokoto, Mubi, Jalingo, Bauchi, Jigawa, Maiduguri, as well as neighbouring countries like Niger and Cameroon, are traded here, he said.

A cattle merchant in the market, Malam Umara Bello Makanwachi, who goes to other parts of Nigeria, revealed that all the six geopolitical zones of the country get their livestock supply from the market.

He takes cattle to Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt, Aba and Calabar for sale.

“This market has been the centre for livestock supply to all parts of the country.

“As a merchant, I have been to various livestock markets across the country and I can authoritatively tell you that Wudil offers the best livestock in terms of breeds, as well as prices.

“That is why, for decades, I have been patronising this market without any regret,’’ he said.

Another livestock merchant, Alhaji Bara’u Nura, told Daily Trust that the reason cattle are cheaper in the market is because the potential buyer has a range of varieties.

“We sell different varieties of cattle here – young, old and even calves.

“Moreover, most of the time, cattle prices don’t depend on the size of the animal; rather, it depends on the breed.

“Their prices range from N80, 000 to N320, 000 per bull.

“As a businessman, what we do here is to buy these cattle from the owners and display for other merchants to buy from us,” Nura said.

Alhaji Nasiru Wudil further said that among other amazing things in the market, cattle are always available. According to him, this has built confidence in merchants and their allies.

He commended the concerned authorities for abolishing excessive taxes hitherto imposed on cattle traders across the states of the federation, adding that members now conduct their businesses without much harassment.

He further called on the Kano State Government and Wudil Local Government officials to, as a matter of importance, upgrade the market to modern status, with enough toilets, good road network and bigger drainages to make business easier.