Alhaji Isiaka Mohammed, Chairman of Livestock Sellers in Calabar, revealed that he sets aside N1 million for settlements at checkpoints to transport his livestock from the North to Cross River State in the South.
In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria, Mohammed addressed the Eid-el-Kabir celebration and the escalating prices of rams in the market.
Contrary to popular belief that removing fuel subsidies caused the high prices, Mohammed attributed the surge to rampant extortion along the North-to-South route.
“The trucks that bring our animals from the North run on diesel, and the price of diesel has been gradually decreasing. Our challenge lies not in fuel, but in the extortion we face,” he stated.
Mohammed elaborated, “During the journey from the North to the South, numerous checkpoints emerge, and at some of these points, you have to pay as much as N30,000 to proceed.”
He further explained, “When you spend such a significant amount on extortion alone, it inevitably affects the price of rams.”
“On the roads, you encounter multiple security agencies, veterinary agents, and various state-owned groups whose existence remains puzzling,” he added.
“With the expenses incurred, you have to keep settling until you reach Calabar. Consequently, this year, the average-sized ram that I sold for N120,000 last year now goes for N150,000. Each ram has an additional cost of N20,000 to N30,000,” Mohammed revealed.
The livestock dealer acknowledged that the escalating prices were already impacting customer demand. Nevertheless, due to the added expenses incurred, they are compelled to sell at elevated rates.
Mohammed emphasized the necessity for government intervention to tackle the extortion issue on the roads, expressing his belief that the government was already aware of the prevailing circumstances.
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