The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) says the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has cost its members at least N5 billion in revenue.
The group said that its members have not had it so bad.
A former Chairman of MACBAN in Oyo State, Yakubu Bello, stated this while denying allegations that the group condoned members sneaking into the state despite presidential directive on interstate border lockdown.
He noted that the allegations were untrue, saying the Fulani community in Oyo remained law-abiding and peace-loving.
Bello added that the Fulani community has put measures in place to ensure its members adhered to the restriction on state border closure.
According to him, Fulani herdsmen and cattle traders have been warned to steer clear of Oyo during this interstate border closure.
“We have heard of cases of people that were arrested for defying inter -state lockdown order, whether they were coming from the North or anywhere from Nigeria, but I can tell you that nothing of such has happened from here.
“The moment the government announced the lockdown order, we have sent a strong warning to our people in all the states of the nation not to come to Oyo State for business or visit till this trying period is over.
“It is really a difficult period for our people as they have never experienced such restriction before. I can tell you that we have lost over N 5 billion to the rampaging Coronavirus disease.
“This place used to be a beehive of commercial activities; people will come from all over the country to buy and sell. People sell not just cows and other livestock, but personal items and household materials here. It is now like a ghost town,” Bello said.
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