Over 10,000 animals weekly cross into Nigeria, FG vows to detain non-certified imported animals

Federal Government, Tuesday, disclosed over 10,000 animals weekly cross into Nigeria unchecked, therefore, vowed to detain non-certified imported animals into the country. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller General, CG, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. Maiha said it is no more business as usual in the sector with the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu, therefore, stringent measures would be in place to monitor transboundary movements of animals including those imported. He said the Ministry is committed to safeguarding public health and the nation’s livestock industry by enforcing strict regulations on animal imports.
According to the Minister, 60 per cent of the cattle entering Nigeria come from neighbouring countries and often cross the borders unchecked, therefore, to address the menace the Federal Government will establish control posts at strategic border entering points to regulate the movement of livestock into the country. He said “Any animal that is not certified as healthy before entering Nigeria will be detained. I have personally seen over 10,000 animals crossing into Nigeria in a single week.  The first cases of anthrax in Nigeria originated from outside the country due to the lack of border control. This situation must be addressed, and we are committed to taking inventory, building, and manning control posts to prevent further risks. Once these control posts are established, your (NAQS) presence there will be essential. All enforcement stakeholders, including veterinary doctors, security agents, and NAQS officials, will be deployed to strengthen border monitoring.”
Meanwhile, the Minister expressed concern over the illegal levies and roadblocks mounted in States to extort truck drivers leading to high cost of beef and other proteins in the market, which he disclosed that over 700 checkpoints along major livestock transportation routes have been identified for extortion. “From Mubi (Adamawa State) to Jigawa, Calabar, Bayelsa, and Lagos, the excessive levies imposed on truck drivers directly impact the price of meat and other livestock products.  We are working on data collection and policy interventions to eliminate these illegal roadblocks and reduce the cost of meat”, he said. The Minister also lamented the rapid decline of Nigeria’s donkey population, therefore, he warned that government would not tolerate illegal export of donkey skins without due process and authorisation. Earlier, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, reassured that NAQS would not relent in its commitment and effort to prevent animal diseases from entering Nigeria including regulation of agricultural imports.
Isegbe disclosed that the agency has been intercepting illegal agricultural imports and also sensitized Nigerian farmers not to use dangerous chemicals in livestock feed and crop preservation.  He also called for stronger synergy with the Ministry of Livestock Development to for stronger and stringent implementation of regulatory policies in order to safeguard Nigeria’s agricultural sector from harmful importations. “Our mandate is to prevent the spread of animal diseases and ensure compliance with agricultural safety standards. We have been intercepting illegal agricultural imports and conducting sensitization programmes for farmers to discourage the use of harmful chemicals in livestock feed and crop preservation”, he said.