In a bold move to address the worsening food crisis in Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has announced a ban on the sale and transportation of food items and farm produce in large quantities from Niger to other parts of Nigeria.
The governor made this declaration during a press conference on Friday, citing the alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition among his people as the main reason for the ban.
He said:
“We are facing a serious food emergency in Niger State. Our people are starving and suffering from hunger and disease. We cannot afford to lose our food resources to other states while our own people are dying. That is why we have decided to stop the mass purchase and movement of food stuffs from our local markets and villages to other states. This ban is effective immediately and will last until further notice.”
He added that any truck or vehicle found violating the ban would be seized by security agents and the food items would be distributed to the needy in Niger State.
Governor Bago’s decision comes amid a growing food crisis in Nigeria, especially in the northern regions, where conflict, climate change, inflation, and population growth have contributed to food shortages and rising prices.
