Weeks after the Bauchi State Government shut down some cattle markets across four local government areas (LGAs) over escalating security concerns, residents and business owners in affected communities say the decision, while aimed at restoring safety, has triggered widespread economic hardship, loss of livelihoods and growing social challenges.
WikkiTimes reports that the State government had in April ordered the suspension of commercial activities in selected cattle markets in Alkaleri, Bauchi, Kirfi and Tafawa Balewa LGAs after concerns that criminal elements were allegedly exploiting the markets for cattle rustling, kidnapping, killings, extortion, illegal arms exchange and illicit financial activities.
The affected markets include 14 in Alkaleri LGA — Alkaleri, Mansur, Futuk, Yalo, Gwana, Yalon Gurza, Kuka, Rimi, Pali, Bokwas, Kwaimawa, Mai Ari, Gajin Duguri and Maina Ma’aji.
In Kirfi LGA, the affected markets are Lariski Bara, Sharfuri (night market), Cheledi and Boli.
In Tafawa Balewa LGA, the affected markets are Burga, Bununu, Ball, Kulumbo and Zwall whereas in Bauchi LGA, the popular Liman Katagum cattle market is affected.
The state also argued that the markets had become operational targets for criminal groups stealing livestock and disrupting food supply chains. But the government described the move as a temporary security measure pending improvement in the situation.
However, the shutdown has had severe economic consequences for communities whose survival depended largely on market activity. Traders who relied on livestock transactions reportedly lost income streams, transport operators saw declining patronage, while food vendors, artisans and small-scale businesses around the markets struggled to remain afloat.
Residents in host communities like Salisu Mohammed of Mararaban Liman Katagum, the most popular livestock market in the state, complained of increased hardship, rising petty theft and economic desperation as livelihoods disappeared.
Salisu who sells ropes to livestock dealers decried that although he supports any measures to tackle insecurity, there is a need to create some alternatives for those whose livelihood depend on such markets.
“Despite the need to take drastic actions against insecurity, I think the government should also consider the plight of vulnerable citizens who solely depend on these markets for their petty businesses. Thousands of youths depend on these markets. There is a sharp increase in theft across communities after the suspension of the markets.
Halima Hamza, a food seller in Mararaba market, lamented that her business collapsed with the closure of the market, appealing to the government to look for alternatives.
“If the market is closed, who will patronize our businesses? They are ruined. This is just a few weeks and we become vulnerable,” she lamented.
The affected markets, located in rural and semi-urban communities, serve as economic centres connecting livestock dealers, farmers and consumers in the state and beyond. Their closure created ripple effects beyond cattle merchants alone.
But government officials had maintained that the temporary pain was necessary to dismantle criminal networks and protect long-term public safety.
While security agencies have recently intensified operations against criminal networks in parts of the state, government officials have said there is a reduction in cattle rustling, kidnapping or related crimes following the market closure. Recent security operations reportedly targeted criminal camps and supply networks, suggesting broader efforts beyond the market restrictions alone.
Governor Bala Mohammed, in a media engagement, stated that coordinated security operations have led to the destruction of multiple bandit camps and the disruption of criminal supply networks in forest areas.
The governor warned bandits in the area to surrender under the government’s ongoing amnesty window or face further security clampdowns.
Now, with Eid-el-Kabir approaching, the state government has announced a temporary suspension of the market ban to allow residents to celebrate the festive period and ease economic pressure on affected communities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado.
“This has become necessary in view of their strategic importance in livestock trading and the need to enable citizens to have access to the markets to purchase the required sacrificial livestock for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.”
However, Gidado explained that the measure would last for a period of two weeks, adding that the decision was taken in consultation with security agencies alongside local authorities and traditional leaders.
The development has brought relief to traders like Salisu and other residents hoping to recover some lost earnings after weeks of disruption.
Yet for Tanimu Adamu and Hawwa’u Abdullahi, their concern remains whether state authorities can strike a balance between security enforcement and economic survival. They insisted that while tackling insecurity is necessary, future interventions must consider livelihood protection mechanisms to prevent ordinary citizens from carrying the heaviest burden of security policies.
