On Monday, August 30, 2021, the Katsina State government issued an executive order banning the movement of cattle from the state to other parts of the country.
The enforcement, which came into effect on August 31, according to Governor Aminu Bello Masari, was taken to contain the security challenges bedevilling the state such as banditry, cattle rustling and kidnap for ransom among others.
More than one month after the order took effect, Arewa Trust Weekly reports that the measures were undoubtedly paying off as confirmed by residents, government officials as well as some visitors to the state. However, just like any bitter pill, the measures are not without associated hardship which traders said is taking a huge toll on them.
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During a visit to Charanchi market in Charanchi LGA, which is arguably the largest animal market in the state, our correspondent observed what appeared to be a graveyard situation at the different animal stalls.
Muhammad Basiru who works at the market said before the order, the Charanchi market which he described as bigger than the Wudil market in Kano State in the area of animal trading used to welcome more than a million cattle in at least 100 trailer trucks weekly which are then transported to other parts of the country.
A few workers, who hitherto made a living from sweeping the cattle market as well as gathering manure for sale were seen idle due to the closure of the market. Muhammad Lawal, one of the cleaners, said: “We used to make an average of N40,000 to N60,000, weekly from the sale of manure.
“We are not in any way disputing that the measures taken by the government are yielding results, but we are hoping that the government will review the success and lift some of these restrictions so that we can earn some money to cater for our families,” Lawal said.
Also speaking with Arewa Trust Weekly, the chairman of the market, Muhammad Danjuma Abdu, called on the state government to take into congnisance the situation of the traders by reviewing the ban. “Government can take other measures, especially through traditional institutions, to eliminate the trading of rustled animals because at the lowest level, a ward head (Mai Unguwa) knows everyone by their names and by their attitude. Likewise, in the market, the heads of different stalls know everyone that is conducting a lawful business and those that are doing otherwise,” he said.
Abdu said authorities in the market have a system of checkmating illegal trading of animals by issuing receipts, adding that before such a receipt is issued, they demand evidence of ownership of the animal. He said by suspending animal trading, the order has grounded other trading activities in the market which he said used to generate a minimum of N3m as weekly revenue.
“This is the best time for livestock trading because it is harvest time. But unfortunately, with the closure, it is only our farm produce that we can sell to meet our daily needs. If this continues, we have fears of food shortage,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the situation is the same in other markets affected by the security measures as a trader at Dankama market in Kaita LGA, who pleaded anonymity, said the ban has affected the livelihood of many traders and their dependents.
“I am a public servant but I can tell you what I earn in the market from livestock trading is much more than my salary. The measures have affected my standard of living and then you have to consider those who depend entirely on this business,” he said.
At the Mai’adua market in Mai’adua LGA market, a trader told our correspondent that the situation can best be described as hard even as he said they have resorted to prayers for Allah’s intervention.
