The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has uncovered two illegal donkey slaughter sites in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, raising fresh concerns over wildlife conservation and the enforcement of regulations governing the slaughter of endangered animal species.
The discovery followed a tip-off from residents, prompting officials from the agency’s Adamawa Field Office to conduct an investigation at Muchalla and Kwanta Muchalla villages, where the facilities were located.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Adamawa State Coordinator of NESREA, Abubakar Aliyu, said the agency found two local abattoirs dedicated primarily to donkey slaughter.
According to him, the facilities employ more than 20 workers and slaughter approximately 50 donkeys every week.
“Following information provided by concerned citizens, the agency carried out an investigative visit to the suspected locations in Muchalla and Kwanta Muchalla villages in Gombi Local Government Area. During the investigation, we discovered two local abattoirs being used as donkey slaughtering sites,” Aliyu said.
He noted that the operators claimed they had obtained permits from the Gombi Local Government Council, the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Development and the Gombi Chiefdom. However, Aliyu expressed concern over the scale of commercial donkey slaughter, warning that the continued depletion of the animal population could eventually lead to its extinction.
The Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (Establishment) Act, 2017 provides operational guidelines regulating donkey slaughter and the operation of related abattoirs.
The manager of the slaughter facilities, who identified himself as ThankGod Stumpit, defended the operation, saying the business had been running for four years with the knowledge of relevant authorities.
“We are doing this business with the consent and permission of the Gombi Local Government Authority, and we are paying revenue to the authority. In fact, the state government, the police and the Gombi Traditional Council are all aware of the business,” he said.
However, the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Development denied authorising the operations.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Sulaiman Aminu, said no permit had been issued to the operators and described the alleged activity as illegal.
“It is not true. The ministry is not aware of the illicit activity, and no permit was given. We have a dedicated unit responsible for combating activities involving endangered animal species. We will investigate the matter, and whoever is found wanting will face the wrath of the law,” Aminu stated.
The development comes amid sustained enforcement efforts against the illegal donkey trade. The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service disclosed that between 2023 and 2026 it seized and destroyed more than 3,712 pieces of donkey hides in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 15 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The latest discovery is expected to intensify scrutiny of the commercial trade in donkeys and reinforce ongoing efforts by regulatory agencies to curb illegal wildlife exploitation.
