The ongoing ethnic war rocking the three major tribes of Nigeria recently unveiled a sizzling episode that may plunge the nation into serious crisis if not curbed. The northern region had announced that they will no longer supply food to the southern part of the nation.
In retaliation, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Aare Onakankanfo, Iba Gani Adams, Yoruba Summit Group and Sunday Igboho, called for beef boycott in the major markets in the southern-western region, according to an advertorial published on the plan.
However, according to Daily Trust, the exercise flopped in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and other states.
The one-day boycott, came a day after the Amalgamated Union of Food and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) terminated the blockade of foodstuff and cattle from the North to southern Nigeria, which lasted six days, resorting in the scarcity of beef and other food items in southern markets.
According to the paper, which monitored compliance, residents were seen buying beef, while sellers said there was nothing like boycott in Lagos.
Speaking on the development, the chairman, United Butchers of Lagos, Lagos State Abattoir Complex, Oko-Oba, Agege, Abdullahi Ahmed, said the number of people patronising the abattoir increased.
At Ile Epo, Abule-Egba, Mushin markets, among others, cow traders said they didn’t see the effect of any beef boycott.
Speaking with Daily Trust, a resident of the state, Mrs Ayodele Aje said “Why should I not buy beef? For what? I don’t think that is a way to go in resolving whatever issues we have with our brothers. I have come to buy beef and I am happy normalcy is returning to the market after the blockade of food items and cattle, which has now been called off”.
It was gathered that in Ogun State, residents also snubbed the call to boycott beef by the leaders of the Afenifere group.
However, the spokesman of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, in a chat with Daily Trust described the beef boycott as a success.
In his words, the Yoruba had made it clear that they would no longer tolerate maiming and killing of their people in the name of cattle rearing.
He said “We have made it clear to them that we cannot continue to tolerate this. Our people are tired of the mindless destruction by the Fulani”.
