The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched a coordinated intervention to curb tsetse fly and other ectoparasites affecting cattle in Taraba and Sokoto State, respectively, as part of efforts to improve livestock health, productivity and sector wide transformation.
The exercise, which commenced on Monday December 22 2025, involves the spraying of insecticides on cattle farms and strategic locations to reduce disease vectors and limit the spread of livestock infections.
In Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital, Emmanuel Yarai, State Coordinator and Federal Epidemiology Officer, said the first phase would cover Jalingo, Ardo Kola, Lau and Wukari Local Government Areas. He said the programme would be extended to the remaining 12 LGAs to ensure statewide coverage.
Yarai explained that tsetse fly transmits trypanosomiasis, a disease endemic in Africa that causes major economic losses to livestock farmers.
He said the disease affects the blood and lymphatic systems of animals, leading to fever, weight loss, anaemia, paralysis and in severe cases death.
He added that while most cattle breeds are susceptible, West African N’dama cattle show natural tolerance. He said biconical traps would also be deployed in strategic locations to sustain control efforts beyond the initial spraying.
In Sokoto State, Umar Tukur Argungu, Livestock Development Ministry’s Coordinator, said farmers assisted the team to identify grazing areas with high tsetse fly prevalence.
He said traps would be installed in affected locations to confirm and address infestation.
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Argungu said the team visited major livestock markets, including Kasuwan Kara in Sokoto North and Bodinga Local Government areas, where engagements were held with farmers and traders.
He said concerns raised would be documented and forwarded for consideration in future government interventions.
Alhaji Abubakar Maidabo, Director of Veterinary Services, Sokoto State Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, urged farmers to promptly report disease outbreaks.
He warned that some livestock diseases are zoonotic and pose risks to human health.
Bashir Bello, Chairman of the Cattle Traders Association in Sokoto State, said traders suffered heavy losses during the last rainy season due to skin rashes linked to tsetse fly infestation.
He said the problem cuts across all 23 Local Government Areas, particularly around hurumi and fadama zones between Sokoto South and Wamakko.
Bello also identified foot and mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants as major challenges.
He pledged that the Association would ensure timely reporting of outbreaks to enable swift response by the Ministry.
