TheCable

Insurgency in the north-eastern Nigeria has affected the fish industry, causing shortage and driving up prices after 200 vehicles loaded with fish for the state capital were detained for screening.

Maiduguri has been experiencing hikes in the prices of fish for over a week, following the detainment of huge consignment of fishes meant for the city at a border town, Diffa, on security grounds.

Abubakar Gamandi, head of the fishermen in Borno, said the city and the wider northern region were now facing an “unprecedented shortage” of fish.

“The fish supply to Maiduguri has been disrupted and prices have soared,” he said.

“We have no problem with the consignments being screened but for 10 days now, none of these vehicles has been searched; they are just kept there.

“Our traders have suffered so much financial setback as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency, and if they lose these consignments, which are their lifelines, the economic effect will be catastrophic.”

A carton of smoked fish in the city now sells for N15,000, against the N9,000 it previously sold for.

The impounded vehicles are said to be carrying fishes worth N1.12 billion, which traders in the blockade bought by pooling from their insufficient capital.