A few days before the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, ram dealers at Mai’adua International Livestock Market in Katsina State complain of low patronage even when the animals are in short supply.

A correspondent who visited the market on Sunday reports that the animal dealers’ complaint followed the exportation ban imposed by the Niger Republic military authorities on Nigeria.

This is happening despite the federal government’s measures to facilitate smooth trade between the two countries.

Such efforts include the ongoing multibillion-dollar rail project from Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi in Niger Republic, which President Bola Tinubu announced recently in Katsina, to be completed in 2026.

Meanwhile, a big ram, which cost N1.7 million one week ago, cost N1.2 million on Sunday, while a medium-sized one sold at N700,000 last week cost less, as prices of small rams start from N100,000.

Bashir Hassan, a ram dealer from the Niger Republic, said authorities had directed that no one should be allowed to exit the West African country with camels, cows, rams or goats.

He added that the directive was due to flooding recorded in 2024 in Niamey, Maradi, and Tawa, among others, which killed many animals.

Mr Hassan said, “The authorities expressed fear that the country might experience a shortage of animals during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”

He revealed that police, immigration, army and traditional rulers were directed to seize animals from anyone who attempted to cross the border with them.

Mr said many animals were seized from those who attempted to cross the country’s border, causing a short supply, even though patronage was also low compared to 2024.

However, another dealer, Muazu Maifaru, explained that people from Niger Republic were more affected by the order, saying, “But for the security challenge in some areas, Nigeria has big farms that can provide enough animals, even for exportation.

“People from Niger Republic are more affected than our dealers here in Nigeria, who mostly buy from them.”

Mr Maifaru revealed that Nigeria still exports commodities like maise, pepper, mango, and rice, among others, to the Niger Republic.

“You see Mangal rice in many places in Niger Republic,” he said.

He, therefore, cautioned the Niger military authority on such policies, which he said negatively affect international trade.

(NAN)