Dimapur, January 29 (MExN): The Dimapur District Poultry Suppliers Union (DDPSU) has condemned what it described as repeated incidents of abduction, extortion, harassment and criminal intimidation of poultry suppliers by various NNPG groups, terming the acts as “organized crime and economic terrorism.”
In a press release, the union stated that the alleged acts were aimed at destroying the livelihoods of “innocent, law-abiding citizens.”
According to the DDPSU, on January 28 at around 3:00 am, two vehicles carrying poultry suppliers were abducted from the Supermarket area in Dimapur while the suppliers were conducting routine business. The union alleged that the victims were kidnapped, robbed of their money and terrorised by unknown miscreants.
It said the release and eventual rescue of the suppliers were possible only due to the intervention of the DDPSU, adding that the incident highlighted how suppliers were “completely vulnerable and unprotected on the ground.”
The union asserted that the incident was not isolated and claimed that poultry suppliers had been repeatedly targeted in the past, including earlier abductions from the same area. It alleged that continued silence and inaction had emboldened the perpetrators, creating what it described as an environment of fear and lawlessness that was crippling business operations and threatening the economic survival of families dependent on the trade.
The DDPSU stated that “abduction, extortion, and intimidation of poultry suppliers will no longer be tolerated.” The union demanded “immediate, visible, and result-oriented action” from the district administration and law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved.
It further warned that any failure, delay or attempt to downplay such incidents would be viewed as complicity, and said it would be “forced to launch strong democratic mass actions to defend its members.”
The DDPSU also put on notice individuals and groups attempting to form syndicates for poultry imports within Dimapur district. It stated that it would not permit the formation of what it described as exploitative monopolies or syndicates intended to control the market and harm local suppliers.
The union said such syndicates posed “a direct threat to the survival of local poultry businesses” and warned that it would take “decisive and non-negotiable action” to block any poultry imports routed through syndicate arrangements. It reiterated that the DDPSU existed to protect local suppliers, defend fair trade and prevent economic exploitation.
The DDPSU called upon the authorities to restore law and order immediately, asserting that the safety, dignity and livelihood of poultry suppliers were “non-negotiable.”
