Afenifere, Military React To Traders’ Threat To Halt Food Supply From North

By Abiola Olawale

Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political group, on Friday, lampooned the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), a Northern trade group, for threatening to with­draw the supply of cattle and other food produce to the Southern part of the country.

AFUCDN, had given the Federal Government a 7-day ultimatum, to address their demands or face total withdrawal of their services.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Ahmed Alarama, the Secretary-General of AFUCDN, demanded that the Federal Government should ensure the safety of lives and properties of its members.

The Secretary-General made reference to the recent reported cases of violence in the Southwest, alleging that some of their members were killed and their property destroyed.

In his words, “…Based on the above, we are therefore giving the federal government seven-day ultimatum from the date of receipt of acknowledgement, within which to address the issues raised or we will have no other option than to call our members on a nationwide strike. We have urged the government to intervene in order not to create a situation which might lead to chaos and break down of law and order in the country. Our members have continued to suffer intimidation, frustration, humiliation and destruction of their goods.”

However, Yinka Odumakin, the National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, said the AUFCDN cannot threaten the south with withdrawal of food, as there are several alternatives where food items can be purchased.

The Publicity Secretary said this during a chat with Saturday INDE­PENDENT. According to him, the south can purchase food items from neighbors such as Togo and Benin Repub­lic.

He also said the withdraw­al of foodstuffs by the North will benefit the South as it will make the people do more in the area of agriculture.

In his words, “If they withdraw their cows from the South, no prob­lem about that. Before cows, we had what we were eating. Cow is not the only source of protein, there are several other sources. It will encourage our people to do more in the area of agriculture. We have neighbours who are peaceful in Benin Repub­lic, Togo and other places that we can buy things from. They can’t threaten us with any­thing such as withdrawal of items. They should also not forget that petroleum goes from south to the north. So, they should be careful. When you are throw­ing stones at your neighbours, you should be careful what he throws back at you.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army (NA) has warned against the withdrawal of food items from the North to the South.

Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement released on Friday, said the military received intelligence reports that some individuals are blocking the movement of food items from the north.

He stated that following the tension that escalated along the Jebba-Kaduna road, the Army has deployed operatives to calm the tension and ensure the free movement of food items.

The spokesman said the Armed Forces would not accept any act of illegality and the illegitimate attempt to block the economic and commercial activities from the North to the South.

In his words, “There is currently free flow of traffic along the axis. Members of the public, commuters and residents are please urged to go about their normal businesses.”