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The sale of dried meat has been banned in Borno state. The state government said the move was in order to curtail the activities of Boko Haram terrorists currently engaged in cattle rusting to fund their operations.
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno announced the ban at the inauguration of a committee for the management of the Maiduguri Cattle Market in Maiduguri.
Shettima, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Jidda Shuwa, said the government had also suspended importation of cattle to the state capital for the next two weeks.
Only the Butchers Association and Cattle Traders Association are permitted to slaughter and sell cattle in the market.
He said:
“Importation of cattle to the state capital through all routes and all sources other than the cattle traders association is hereby suspended for two weeks.
“In the same vein, the sale of dried meat is hereby banned, as it had been observed that criminal elements resort to this measure to legitimize their dubious activities ultimately aimed at funding activities of Boko Haram”
Mr. Shettima said the government had also suspended trading in four livestock markets – Gamboru, Dusuman, Shuwarin and Ngom to further ensure that only legitimate cattle were sold at the market.