Markets for stolen cows flourishing in Zamfara, CP alleges

Zamfara state police commissioner Mr Usman Nagogo, on Tuesday met with leaders of cattle markets, cattle dealers and butchers to fine tune strategy on how best to tackle the menace of cattle rustling in the state.

The stakeholders included chairmen of cattle markets locally known as “ Sarakunan Zango”, chairmen of cattle dealers “Shuwagabannin Falake” and chairmen of butchers associations in the state.

Speaking at the meeting Mr Nagogo said the police had received reports of underhand dealings in rustled cows especially in rural markets of the state.  He cited an example of a cattle market opened in Gwaram in Talata Mafara local government area chiefly to buy and sell stolen cows.

“We are also aware of an abattoir in Gummi local government area where 87 cows, suspected to be stolen, were slaughtered in one night.  Black markets for cattle are thriving and when stolen cattle are identified by the owners in our markets they are not being given back to them.

“To say the least, some of you are conniving with these cattle rustlers. Therefore, as stakeholders in our effort to curb the menace of cattle rustling in the state, I must bluntly tell you that you are seriously undermining our effort to succeed in ending cattle theft in the state,” he said.

The police boss then charged the stakeholders to help the authorities in stopping the menace of cattle theft as part of the move to consolidate on the gains recorded from the ongoing peace dialogue in the state.

Reacting, the leader of cattle markets in the state, Alhaji Turawa Mafara said leaders of cattle markets do receive death threats from rustlers over their firm resolve to adhere to rules and regulations governing cattle marketing in the state.

He suggested that the state government should look in to the possibility of closing down some cattle markets especially those in Gwaram, Bingi , Bindis and others adding that the action would definitely go a long way in curbing the menace of cattle theft and underhand dealings in the state.

Speaking also, the chairman of cattle dealers in the state, Alhaji Surajo Sani, admitted that shady cattle deals are happening in the cattle markets across the state, but blamed it on the lust to make money on the part of dealers.