The Zamfara State chapter of the Association of Cattle Dealers, ACD, said its members have lost over N500 million to cattle rustling perpetrated by bandits.
The chairman of the association, Aminu Garba Gusau, told newsmen in an interview in Gusau, the capital of the state, that many of the association’s members are now in a serious economic situation as the transaction of the cattle business in the state has been at a low ebb.
According to him, they are now experiencing a decline in the buying and selling of cows due to banditry in the northwest region.
He stated: “Our members have distanced themselves from buying and selling suspected rustled cattle in the state. We will continue collaborating with security agencies to arrest the activities of cattle rustlers in the state.
“I can assure you that our members are law-abiding, and we warned them that anybody found wanting will be arrested and handed over to the security agencies in the state for necessary action.”
Speaking further, he said: “We have our members in every cattle market across the state who are monitoring business activities concerning the sale of cattle. If they discover anything worthy of suspicion, they will alert security attached to that market for prompt action.
“I assured the general public that, God willing, the selling or buying of rustled cattle would come to an end in any of our cattle markets. We would also ensure more revenue generation for the state government.”