By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Ahead of the Eid El-Kabir celebration, the Bauchi State Government on Thursday, May 21, 2026, ordered the immediate re-opening of cattle markets in the State.
The State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had, on April 9, 2026, amidst growing level of banditry activities, approved the closure of about 25 cattle markets spread across four local councils of Alkaleri ,Kirfi ,Tafawa Balewa and Bauchi.
The Government said that the affected markets had been targeted by terrorists who routinely invaded, terrorized traders, disrupted food supply chains, and rustled animals, leading to unmitigated losses to the people.
The authorities had also described the closure of the markets as temporary measure to curtail the activities of criminal elements in the state.
But in a statement on Thursday, Mukhtar Gidado, spokesperson for the Governor, said the affected markets are to be equally re-opened temporarily to enable the people access their livestock needs ahead of the Sallah celebrations slated for May 27, 2026.
Gidado emphasized that the re-opening has become necessary in the face of the strategic importance of the markets in servicing the livestock needs of the people, particularly in view of the Eid El-Kabir celebration.
The re-opening, according to the statement, will be for a period of two weeks.
“The measure has been taken in consultation with security agencies which, alongside local authorities and traditional leaders, will continue to monitor activities in the markets to ensure security and peaceful operations”, Gidado noted .
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