The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, has uncovered two illegal donkey slaughter sites in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The agency’s Adamawa Coordinator, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday in Yola.
Aliyu said the slaughter sites were located in Muchalla and Kwanta Muchalla villages and were uncovered following a tip-off from residents.
According to him, investigations revealed that over 20 workers operate at the facilities, where about 50 donkeys are slaughtered weekly.
He said the operators claimed they obtained permits from the Gombi Local Government Council, the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Development and the Gombi Chiefdom.
Aliyu, however, expressed concern over the large-scale slaughter of donkeys, warning that the practice could drive the animal to extinction.
The manager of the facilities, ThankGod Stumpit, insisted the business had been operating for four years with the knowledge of the local government, security agencies and traditional authorities.
However, the Permanent Secretary of the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Development, Sulaiman Aminu, denied issuing any permit for the operation.
“The ministry is not aware of such activity, and no permit was given. We will investigate the matter, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
NAN reports that the Adamawa/Taraba Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized and destroyed more than 3,700 donkey hides since 2023.
