The price of machetes has
halved in parts of Nigeria
since the end of general elections in April because demand from thugs sponsored
by politicians has subsided, the state-owned News Agency of Nigeria reported.
NAN surveyed prices in the northeastern state
of Gombe and found that a good quality machete was
now selling for 400 naira ($3) compared with 800 naira before the elections,
which were marred by politically motivated violence in many states.
"A price survey on machetes, which served as a popular weapon among
political thugs in the state, indicated ... a drop in the price of the
implement," NAN reported over the
weekend.
Machetes are primarily used as a tool for farming in Nigeria but they are also popular
among political gangsters.
"Before the conduct of the general elections, I was selling a minimum of
seven machetes daily but can hardly sell one a day now," said Usman Masi, a trader quoted by
NAN.
Africa's most populous country returned to civilian rule in 1999 after three
decades of almost continuous army rule but violence remains a feature of
politics, especially during the build-up to elections.
European election monitors estimated that at least 200 people were killed in
politically motivated violence during months of campaigning ahead of the April
polls
