NESREA Discovers Illegal Donkey Slaughterhouses in Adamawa

NESREA Discovers Illegal Donkey Slaughterhouses in Adamawa

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have uncovered two facilities allegedly being used for the commercial slaughter of donkeys in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, raising concerns over the growing exploitation of the animal.

Speaking in Yola, the Coordinator of NESREA’s Adamawa Field Office, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, said the discovery followed intelligence provided by concerned residents, prompting officials to launch an investigation in Muchalla and Kwanta Muchalla villages.

According to Aliyu, the inspection confirmed that both locations were operating as donkey slaughterhouses.

“Our investigation revealed two local abattoirs where donkeys are being slaughtered in large numbers,” he said, adding that more than 20 workers were found operating at the sites.

Preliminary findings indicate that approximately 50 donkeys are slaughtered every week at the facilities. Aliyu noted that the operators informed investigators that the business was privately owned and that they had obtained permits from the Gombi Local Government Council, the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock, and the Gombi Chiefdom.

However, the NESREA official expressed concern over the increasing commercial slaughter of donkeys, warning that the trend could threaten the species’ survival if left unchecked.

The Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (Establishment) Act, 2017, provides strict regulations governing donkey slaughter and the operation of abattoirs handling the animals.

Meanwhile, the manager of the slaughter sites, Mr. ThankGod Stumpit, defended the operation, saying the business had been running for about four years with the knowledge of relevant authorities.

“We have the approval of the Gombi Local Government Authority and pay the required revenue. The state government, the Police, and the Gombi Traditional Council are all aware of our activities,” he claimed.

Reacting to the development, the Permanent Secretary of the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Development, Dr. Sulaiman Aminu, denied that the ministry had authorized such operations.

He described the alleged permits as false, insisting that no approval had been granted for the slaughter of donkeys.

“The ministry is not aware of this activity, and we did not issue any permit. We have a dedicated department responsible for protecting endangered animal species. A full investigation will be carried out, and anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Aminu stated.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the illegal trade in donkey products. Since 2023, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has confiscated and destroyed more than 3,700 donkey hides in line with the provisions of Schedule 15 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.