As cattle rustlers continue to invade Zamfara State, the state chapter of Animals Transporters Association has appealed to the state government to look into the possibility of closing down some markets that are considered to be frequently patronised by the rustlers.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on how to end cattle rustling in the state held in Gusau, the state’s Chairman of the association, Alhaji Garba Gusau, said unless some markets were closed down, the hoodlums would continue to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
The chairman maintained that the closure of such markets would in no small measure help in fighting the rustling activities, stressing that “the rustlers would have no where to take their rustled animals and will eventually be frustrated out of their heinous activity.”
He alleged that the rustlers usually collaborate with bad eggs among the security agents who cleared the way for them to take their stolen animals for sale at such markets where there are less security challenges.
Some of the markets he suggested to be closed down include those at Mada, Danjibga, Dogon Kade, Dansadau, Yartasha, Dangulbi, Dauran, Zema as well as all the animal markets in Birnin Magaji local government area.
He also advised the state government to closely monitor animal markets in Gusau, Shinkafi, Nasarawa Godel, Mafara, Gummi and Kasuwar Daji towns.
Garba maintained that for proper monitoring, no animal should be loaded or uploaded or any vehicle in the night as, according to him, cuttle rustlers usually conduct their business at night when the security men might have left.
There were serious debate from the stakeholders on whether to adopt the advice because while others agreed with the chairman, others were of the view that it would create problems to the people of the State.
Reacting to the advice, the commissioner, ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Bello Dankande Gamji , said the state government would carefully look into the possibility of implementing it.
