The ban also prohibits the transportation of livestock into Kaduna State from other states and the felling of trees in the state.
This was announced on Thursday by the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
“The Government of Kaduna State wishes to highlight that the previous directives suspending weekly markets, and selling of petrol in jerry cans in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kajuru LGAs, as well as banning the felling of trees for timber, firewood and charcoal and other commercial purposes in Birnin Gwari, Kachia, Kajuru, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, and Kauru LGAs, are still in force.
The Commissioner explained that the Kawo weekly market which holds every Tuesday in Kaduna North Local Government Area has been suspended with immediate effect.
According to Aruwan, the decision was taken after wide consultations and thorough security reviews.
He warned that the transportation of donkeys into Kaduna State is a criminal offence and anyone found engaging in such will be prosecuted accordingly.
“Citizens are hereby informed that all these directives will be vigorously enforced by security agencies,” he said.
The Kaduna State Government last week announced that a ban has been placed on the sale of petroleum products in jerry cans or any other containers in five local government areas which have seen a surge in banditry and kidnapping.
The affected councils include Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, and Kajuru.
Kaduna, Zamfara and other states in the North-West and North-Central have been caught up in a surge in violence from heavily armed criminal gangs who loot villages, steal cattle and carry out mass kidnappings.
The violence has its roots in years-long tensions and tit-for-tat raids between farmers and nomadic herders over grazing land and water resources.
The criminal gangs, also known as bandits, often attack in large numbers and arrive on motorbikes from forests and nearby bushes.
