The federal government, Tuesday, said any animal that is not certified healthy before entering Nigeria will be detained.
The Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha made this declaration while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) in Abuja.
Maiha stated that 60 per cent of the cattle entering Nigeria are from neighbouring countries and they often cross the borders unchecked.
He added that to tackle the problem, the federal government plans to establish control posts at strategic border points to regulate the movement of livestock.
“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.”
Addressing the rising cost of meat in Nigeria, Maiha attributed the issue to illegal fees imposed on truck drivers transporting livestock.
He stated that a government survey identified over 700 checkpoints along major livestock transportation routes, where drivers are subjected to 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,” the minister stated.