Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
Governor Maimala Bun of Yobe state; has reopened the Geidam international border market, nine months after being closed over insecurity. The market bordering Niger Republic; was shut by the Army, following Boko Haram terrorists torching of commercial hub. Tens of thousands of livestock, including cattle and camels, fish and potash are traded weekly at the border market of Geidam. Announcing the opening of market on Monday at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders, Buni approved an upward review of curfew from 6pm to 10pm daily. He also ordered an immediate engagement of 150 additional vigilantes to boost patrols of community and border areas along the Kumadugu-Yobe River Basin.
His words: “The recruitment exercise; was to complement troops’ clearance operations of communities and border areas with Niger. “The closure of this market will only worsen the security situation in the town rather than improving. “The state government has also considered the number of youth in the town and strategic location of the border market in the country and Niger Republic.” He enjoined the people to be prayerful and cooperate with military and other security agencies. According to him, security is everyone’s business to protect people’s lives and property.
