NEWS LEVERAGE

A group identified as the Jukun Development Association has called on farmers in the Middle Belt to send a supply of foodstuff to the Southern part of the country.

The group faulted the stance of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers to block foodstuff sent to the South owing to the aggression it’s members have received from their host.

In a press statement in Abuja on Monday, the association’s National President, Chief Bako Benjamin, said those individuals calling for the boycott of food supply to the South were speaking for themselves and not the entire population of the North, which the Middle Belt is part of.

According to Sahara Reporters, Bako pointed out that the security agencies should give protection to genuine traders of a foodstuff coming to the markets and also stated that systematic starvation of the southern part of the country was dangerous for a united Nigeria.

He said, “All Nigerians need to thank the Yoruba people for their hospitality and kindness for hosting all tribes in Nigeria. So, they should never be repaid with evil.

“The individuals calling for the boycott of foodstuffs to the southern part of Nigeria may be unaware that millions of northerners, including their leaders that escaped hunger, poverty, starvation, banditry, Boko Haram, and the collapse of almost all the extreme northern states are now taking refuge in the South-West.

“So, such calls to stop food supply to the South are not only reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous, but lack logic and understanding of the true situation in the country.”

He called on the security agencies to move quickly and arrest as well as prosecute those making such divisive calls.

“The situation may degenerate into a national unrest which may be difficult to handle,” Bako added.

Recall that the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers issued a strike to its members on Thursday stopping them from taking foodstuff to the Southern States.

It demanded N475 billion from the Federal Government for mishaps its members have suffered in these States.

One of the farmers, Musa Tijani, who spoke to IgbereTv disclosed that they have lost over N10 billion in one week as their perishable foodstuff gets spoilt before it reaches the neighbouring countries they have been directed to supply their goods to.

According to him, “most of the perishable foodstuffs have spoiled because even the countries that we are moving the goods to have the items”.

“So, what happens is that when we get there, they won’t buy most of the foodstuff till we will just dash them or dump them there.”

“We need to stop this blockage and see ourselves as one. There is no difference between an Igbo man, Hausa, Yoruba and Fulani if we our leaders can unite us” he said.