By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Sale of animals and interstate cattle movement are now banned in Katsina State and its Jibia-Gurbin-Baure road is closed to all motorists to ward off Islamist terrorists.
In neighbouring Kaduna and down in Niger, cattle markets are also banned as part of measures to rein in Fulani herdsmen who murder citizens and occupy their lands because Muhammad Buhari blocks their prosecution and blames victims.
Katsina closed Kankara-Sheme road to commercial vehicles. Motorists are advised to use Funtua road as an alternative route, in a notice on “security challenges” personally signed by Governor Aminu Masari.
Per The PUNCH, Masari suspended the sale of animals at markets in 14 council areas – Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Malumfashi, Charanchi, Mai’adua, Kafur, Faskari, Sabuwa, Baure, Dutsin-ma, and Kaita.
Masari also announced that only two stations are allowed to sell fuel worth not more than N5,000 to motorists in 14 councils – Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsin-ma, Kurfi, Danja, and Kafur.
He reinforced the ban on the sale of fuel in jerry cans statewide.
The notice restricted the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 10pm to 6 am in Katsina, and from 6pm to 6am in all frontline council areas.
But essential service workers, including journalists and health personnel, are allowed to use motorcycle and tricycle taxis at any time.
Other directives in the notice include
· Motorcycle taxis should not carry more than one passenger.
· Tricycle taxis should not carry more than three passengers.
· Ban on the sale of secondhand motorcycles at Charanchi market.
· A “ban on transportation of cattle trucks from Katsina State to any state in Nigeria.”
· Ban on lorries/trucks carrying firewood from the bush.
Niger bans cattle markets, sale of fuel in containers
Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello suspended cattle markets across the state in a statement that also banned the sale of fuel products in jerry cans or other containers at filling stations.
“All weekly cattle markets across the state are hereby suspended and any vehicle carrying cattle into the state must show way-bill and evidence of the origin where the cattle were purchased and their destination,” Bello said, per The PUNCH.
“Government suspends the operation of trucks carrying firewood/timber across the state. All motorcycles are only allowed to operate from 6am to 6pm across the state.”
Bello condemned the mayhem and the carnage terrorists are causing in the state and reiterated his determination to rid Niger of any security threat.
Kaduna bands markets, sale of fuel in containers
Kaduna State government suspended weekly markets in five councils of Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, and Kajuru; and banned the sale of petrol within and outside the premises of fuel stations in the councils.
The measures were announced in a statement issued by Internal Security and Home Affairs Commissioner, Samuel Aruwan.
“After a thorough review of the security situation and recommendations put forward by the security agencies, the Kaduna State Government wishes to announce the suspension of all weekly markets in Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa, Chikun and Kajuru local government areas with immediate effect,” he said, quoted by The PUNCH.
“The government has also banned the selling of petrol in jerry cans within and outside the premises of petrol stations in the five local government areas with immediate effect.
“The Kaduna State Security Operations Room remains open for receiving useful information on the following lines: 0903 400 0060, 0817 018 9999.”