The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced a coordinated intervention to control tsetse flies and other ectoparasites affecting cattle in Taraba and Sokoto States, as part of efforts to strengthen animal health, improve productivity, and support Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda.
The exercise, which began on Monday, 22 December 2025, involves the spraying of insecticides on cattle farms and key grazing locations to reduce disease vectors and limit the spread of livestock infections across affected communities.
Speaking during the flag-off in Jalingo, Taraba State, the State Coordinator and Federal Epidemiology Officer, Dr Emmanuel Yarai, stated the first phase of the intervention covers Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau and Wukari Local Government Areas.
He added that the programme would be extended to the remaining 12 LGAs to ensure full state-wide coverage.
Dr Yarai explained that tsetse flies transmit trypanosomiasis, a primary livestock disease responsible for severe economic losses among farmers.
The disease attacks the blood and lymphatic systems of animals, causing symptoms such as fever, weight loss, anaemia, paralysis and, in extreme cases, death.
He noted that although most cattle breeds are vulnerable, West African N’dama cattle possess a natural tolerance to the disease.
To strengthen long-term control, the intervention also includes the deployment of biconical traps in strategic locations to reduce fly populations beyond the initial spraying phase.
In Sokoto State, the Ministry’s Coordinator, Dr Umar Tukur Argungu, stated that farmers were actively involved in identifying grazing areas with high tsetse fly prevalence.
He confirmed that traps would be installed in affected locations to validate and address reported infestations.
According to him, the team also visited major livestock markets, including Kasuwan Kara in Sokoto North and Bodinga Local Government Areas, where farmers and traders shared concerns about recurring livestock diseases.
Dr Argungu added that feedback from stakeholders would be documented and forwarded to relevant authorities to inform future government interventions.
The Director of Veterinary Services at the Sokoto State Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Alhaji Abubakar Maidabo, urged farmers to promptly report disease outbreaks, warning that some livestock infections are zoonotic and pose risks to human health.
Similarly, Chairman of the Cattle Traders Association in Sokoto State, Alhaji Bashir Bello, revealed that traders suffered heavy losses during the last rainy season due to skin diseases linked to tsetse fly infestation.
He noted that the challenge affects all 23 local government areas, particularly grazing zones around Hurumi and Fadama communities.
Bello also identified foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) as major concerns and pledged that traders would work closely with authorities to ensure early reporting and rapid response.
Source: FMLD
