Northeast Nigeria markets rebound, but Boko Haram’s shadow lingers

Security threats have cast a long shadow over trade in Nigeria's northeast for years, with Boko Haram and local bandits posing significant challenges to businesses. Despite the risks, some traders continue to bring essential goods to rural villages, often at great personal cost. In Maiduguri, the epicentre of the conflict, markets are gradually recovering, but the scars of violence run deep. Traders and transporters have suffered heavy losses, with some losing entire fleets of vehicles and others struggling to rebuild their customer base. The Baga Road fish market, a vital source of food during the siege of Maiduguri, has lost at least 200 traders to the conflict over 16 years. While security forces and health workers have been widely praised, some residents argue it's time to recognise the crucial role played by traders and transporters in sustaining life during the darkest days of the insurgency. Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris reports from Maiduguri, Nigeria. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Nigeria #BokoHaram #Maiduguri #NigeriaNorthEast #MarketRecovery #NigeriaEconomicRecovery #NigeriaSecurityCrisis #MaiduguriMarkets