DSS invites cattle dealers over food blockade to southern Nigeria

A report by Daily Trust indicates that the leadership of Cattle and Foodstuff dealers are currently with officials of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The dealers operate under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN).

General Secretary of the AUFCDN, Ahmed Alaramma, made the revelation at a press briefing at Labour House, Abuja, on Monday, March 1.

He said the president of the Association, Mohammed Tahir, is with the DSS, adding that some military personnel were intimidating members and a task force of the union.

He further advised the government to avert looming chaos by stopping the intimidation of their members by the security agencies.

The union had earlier vowed to continue its nationwide strike and sustain the enforcement on the blockade of foodstuff and cattle from entering the southern part of the country.

According to them, the blockade would be sustained till the federal government attends to their demands.

The association had asked for the payment of N475 billion compensation for the lives of members and property lost during the #EndSARS protest and Shasha market crisis.

Recall that a coalition of Middle Belt Groups comprising of youths, farmers, and traders from Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa, southern Borno, southern Kaduna, southern Bauchi, and Kebbi recently disassociated themselves from the blockade.

The groups made it clear in a press statement that they are not a party to such decisions and would continue sending down food items to the south.

Meanwhile, Miyetti Allah Association of Cattle Breeders, Kwara state chapter has said that the blockage of cattle and foodstuffs to the southwest will continue until the safety of Fulani is guaranteed in the region.

Aliyu Mohammed, the coordinator of the association said the move is a warning shot to ensure Fulanis operate their businesses peacefully and to end the harassment of the ethnic group in the south.

In a related development, Dr Doyin Okupe, a former senior special assistant on media and publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed serious concern over the rising division among Nigerians.

Okupe said the division could lead to the breakup of the country if not quickly corrected by stakeholders.

The former presidential media aide was reacting to reports of the blockade because of disagreement over security issues.