The price of machetes has gone down by 50% 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.
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.
European election monitors estimated that at least 200 people were killed in politically motivated violence during months of campaigning ahead of the April polls.
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