As part of strategies aimed at preventing the Boko Haram group from sourcing for funding, the Borno State Government has suspended trading in four cattle markets.
The move became imperative as Boko Haram insurgents have been known to attack remote villages outside the state capital, Maiduguri, killing residents and carting away cattle.
These cattle are then sold in the markets and the proceeds are used to perpetuate the campaign of terror on the Nigerian nation.
According to the State Governor, Kashim Shettima, “all trading activities have been suspended until further notice in line with government commitment to ensure that no public place is turned into an avenue for funding activities of the terrorists”.
The affected markets are listed as Gamboru, Dusuman, Shuwarin and Ngom.
This is just as sale of dried meat known as “kilishi” has been banned.
The governor noted while in a meeting with cattle traders from the affected markets on Friday that security officials had reported cases of middlemen selling stolen cattle, at usually exorbitant prices.
These cattle, he said, were stolen in raids by the devious terrorists.
He added: “The money realised from such transactions will then be channelled to fund the deadly activities of the terrorists,”
The governor also announced a ban, for the next two weeks, of imports of livestock into the state capital, Maiduguri, stating that only licensed cattle traders and butchers would be allowed to slaughter and sell meat.