The recent strike embarked upon by members of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) has been suspended in order to resume the movement of food items to southern Nigeria.
An agreement to stay the strike was reached following a meeting in Abuja where AUFCDN leaders met with Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode.
According to previous reporting by the Farmersmanual, the strikers had been calling on the government to pay compensation for the loss of life and property related to various crises across the southern part of the country in recent months.
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The strike forced steep pricing increases on food products from the north, including onions, tomatoes and beef, in several cities in southern Nigeria, while farmers and traders in northern Nigeria took heavy losses due to wastage and major price cuts, both consequences of excess supply.
Bello explained that in order to lift the ban on food and livestock transportation to the south and put an end to hardship across the country, he met with the union to discuss a resumption of peace.
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“I’ve also gotten major commitment from people from the south not to attack people of Hausa/Fulani and the traders in the south and that the criminals among them irrespective of tribe and religion should be handed over to law enforcement agents.
“I’ve also gotten the commitment that their lives and properties will be protected also. So, these are the messages we brought to the chief of staff to convey to the president,” Bello said.
