• The Bauchi State Government lifts suspension on selected cattle markets ahead of Eid-el-Kabir
• The affected markets in Bauchi, Kirfi and Tafawa Balewa LGAs were previously shut down on April 9 over security concerns
• The government said the move is necessary to support livestock trading during the festive season

The Bauchi State Government has lifted the temporary suspension placed on commercial activities in selected cattle markets across the state ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The affected markets, located in Alkaleri, Bauchi, Kirfi and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas, were initially shut down on April 9 due to security concerns.

The decision to reopen the markets was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado.

According to the statement, Governor Mohammed approved the immediate restoration of commercial activities in the affected cattle markets to support livestock trading and ease access to sacrificial animals ahead of the festive period.

“This has become necessary in view of their strategic importance in livestock trading and the need to enable citizens to have access to the markets to purchase the required sacrificial livestock for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival,” the statement read.

Gidado explained that the reopening would remain in effect for an initial period of two weeks.

He further disclosed that the state government reached the decision after consultations with security agencies, traditional rulers and local authorities.

According to him, security operatives and community leaders would continue monitoring activities in the markets to ensure peaceful operations and maintain public safety throughout the period.

The temporary lifting is expected to boost livestock trading activities and provide residents with easier access to rams and other sacrificial animals needed for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

FG lifts fuel import ban, grants six licences amid supply concerns

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had lifted its ban on fuel imports, granting six new licences for the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), following concerns over supply amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The move marked a sharp reversal of Nigeria’s recent policy aimed at reducing reliance on imported fuel.

The decision came weeks after the regulator had insisted that domestic refining capacity, particularly from local refineries like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, was sufficient to meet Nigeria’s demand.