Niger state to ban sale, consumption of alcohol from January 1

• The prohibition will affect nine local government areas including Suleja Local Government Area of the state.

The Niger state government says it will ban sales and consumption of alcohol in some part of the state from January 1, 2024.

The State Liquor and Licencing Board made this known on Monday in Minna.

According to the secretary of the board, Ibrahim Muhammad Bonu, who made the pronouncement, the prohibition will affect nine local government areas of the state including Suleja.

Bonu also revealed that some beer joints within Minna, the state capital, would also be served with relocation letters to move outside the city to within an eight-kilometre radius of the post office in the state.

Warning staff of the board to stay away from illegal activities and soliciting for any gratification from operators of beer parlours, Bonu said any staff found wanting would be dealt with.

He said: “We are calling on all vendors to abide by the relevant extant laws establishing the board. The law establishing the board has the mandate to control the activities of all liquor vendors in the state and therefore, nine local government areas were on the first schedule of the prohibited areas, and Suleja happens to be among them, and as such, the board will ensure strict compliance with the law.”