In a bid to put an end to Boko Haram activities in the state, the Borno state government on Friday announced that selling of dried meat has been banned in the state.

Boko Haram militants are said to fund their inhumane activities in the Northeast through cattle rustling.

Borno state has been worst hit by Boko Haram terrorism since it started. More than 10,000 people are said to have lost their lives to the insurgency, while many have become refugees in Nigeria or in neighboring countries.

Governor of the State, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the secretary of the state government, Jidda Shuwa, announced the ban while inaugurating a committee that will manage the Cattle market in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The governor also stated that importation of cattle into Maiduguri will be suspended for the next two weeks and that only members of the Butchers Association and Cattle Traders Association were permitted to slaughter and sell cattle meat in the market.

“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.”

“All trading activities in Gamboru Cattle Market, Dusuman, Shuwari and Ngom have been suspended till further notice in line with government’s commitment to ensure that no public place is turned to avenue for funding activities of the terrorists.”

While giving reasons for the ban, the governor stated that:

“You will recall that cattle market in the metropolis was closed down and all trade suspended by our security agencies following significant intelligence report that the place had been turned commercial stronghold of insurgency with serious security implication on the wellbeing of our people.

“Evidence available to security agencies show that most of the cattle being traded at the market were the direct proceeds of cattle rustling perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“They are sold at prohibitive cost to unsuspecting customers through some unscrupulous middle men. The money realised from such transactions will then be channelled to fund the deadly activities of the terrorists.”

“Consequently, the terrorists feel they have discovered new source of resuscitating their infrastructure with a view to re-commencing their atrocities.”

“One of the unforeseen consequences of the market closure is the shortage of meat supply which had led to outcry by members of the public who have been agitating for the market’s re-opening.”

“In order to satisfy the legitimate demand of the people to end the shortage of meat supply, it has become imperative for government to sanitize the market and streamline the entire process to ensure that all commercial activities are carried out legitimately with effective monitoring.”