Traders in Abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi, have decried low patronage of livestock and food stuff by customers even as Christmas and New Year celebrations approach.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the traders also alleged that they were subjected to monetary extortion by unscrupulous elements at various check points on the road leading to the state capital.
It was reported that a “Goat, which was sold at between N18, 000 and N25, 000, now sells at between N30, 000, N45,000, depending on the size of the animal.
A basket of tomatoes, which sold for between N4, 500 and N5,000 in November, now sells at N15,000.
(NAN)