By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to security operatives intercepting truckloads of assorted grains, directed by the government, to conduct their operations along the national borders.
The union said it noted that such operations within the interior parts of the country are causing additional hardships for communities, especially those along the nation’s borders.
In Sokoto State, truckloads of assorted grains are intercepted by security operatives after leaving the state capital, heading to eastern and northern parts of the state.
According to them, “The Council is troubled by the fact that this development denies communities access to these food items in markets closer to them in Local Government Areas such as Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Gada, Illela, Gwadabawa, Gudu, Tangaza, and Binji”.
The release jointly signed by the chairman and the secretary, Dalhatu Abdullahi S/Magori and Muhammad Nasir Bello also said NUJ fears that such additional artificial scarcity may lead to a surge in prices beyond the reach of citizens in the affected zones.
“The Union appeals to the Business Community to show sympathy to the people by avoiding unnecessary increases in the costs of their products. It also urges clerics to focus their preaching on the Islamic position in business transactions”.
The Council called on authorities to fulfill their responsibilities and urged the wealthy in society to extend a helping hand to the needy among the people.