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Expert urges donkeys’ protection to curb species’ extinction
Expert urges donkeys’ protection to curb species’ extinction
The Animal Welfare Society of Nigeria (AWSON) has raised concern over the increasing decline of donkey populations in the country.
The group advocated conservation and welfare measures to prevent the animal from extinction.
Its President, Prof. Mohammed Sanusi, said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Gombe.
Sanusi is also a lecturer with the Department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
He said that urgent measures are imperative to protect the animal from extinction, as the illegal donkey skin trade was on the rise, thus posing a threat to its survival.
The expert said the decline in donkey population was driven by foreign demand for ‘ejiao,’ a traditional medicine and cosmetic gelatin made from boiled donkey hides and other parts.
According to Sanusi, the illegal activity and killing of the animal by some traders is heavily depleting the domestic donkey population.
“There are still a good number of donkeys in rural areas but due to poverty, some are selling them out in huge numbers.
“Also, improvement in technology is contributing to rural dwellers depending less on their donkeys as tricycles are being used to replace it, hence selling off donkeys becomes a welcome development.
“Donkey population is declining because of increasing demand, particularly the animals are slaughtered here and their skins exported to China.
“According to reports that we have read, they use the donkey skins to produce ejiao, which is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) derived from the gelatin of boiled donkey hides.
“The demand for donkeys for ejiao production is having a devastating impact on its populations in Nigeria and other African countries,’’ he said.
Sanusi urged the government to invest in modern ways to boost reproduction of the animal to accelerate population growth.
He said the steady decline of donkey population has been linked to the emerging trend of illegal donkey slaughter and consumption, low reproduction rate, and poor welfare practices toward the animal.
The animal welfare advocate said donkeys faced a major threat in their future, and stressed the need for proactive measures to protect it from exploitation, abuse and neglect.
“Donkeys are vital to rural livelihoods and the economy,” he said.
Expert urges donkeys’ protection to curb species’ extinction
Farmer Injured in Machete Attack by Herder in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
A farmer, Mr Charles Tuwan, has sustained machete injuries following an alleged attack by a herder during a dispute over grazing on farmland in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 6:53 p.m. on August 23, 2026, at Tekas Community, where troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE, operating under Operation HARD KNOCK, responded to a report of an assault.
Security sources said the dispute reportedly started after the farmer refused to allow the herder to graze cattle on his farmland.
On arrival at the scene, the troops found Tuwan with machete cuts sustained during the attack.
The alleged attacker, identified as Abdullahi Saleh, had reportedly fled the area with his cattle before the arrival of the troops.
The injured farmer was evacuated to Pankshin General Hospital for medical attention.
Troops are currently intensifying efforts to locate and arrest the suspect for investigation and possible prosecution.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between farming and herding communities in parts of Plateau State, underscoring the need for early intervention in disputes over farmland and grazing to prevent isolated incidents from escalating into wider communal violence.
Farmer Injured in Machete Attack by Herder in Plateau
Unidentified Corpse with Gunshot Wound Found Along Road in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have recovered the corpse of an unidentified person bearing a gunshot wound along a roadside in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The corpse was discovered at about 9:30 p.m. on August 23, 2026, along the Farin Lamba axis, close to the Primary Health Centre in Riyom.
Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE, responded to the report and found the body with an apparent gunshot wound to the stomach.
However, security personnel observed that there were no visible traces of blood or spent ammunition casings around the scene.
The circumstances led investigators to suspect that the body may have been transported from another location and dumped at the scene.
The corpse was evacuated to the Primary Health Centre mortuary in Riyom, while the youth leader of Tahoss Community was contacted to assist in identifying the deceased.
Troops have continued to dominate the general area as investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and possible identity of the victim continues.
Unidentified Corpse with Gunshot Wound Found Along Road in Plateau
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover AK-47 Rifle After Gun Battle in Kogi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops operating under the Joint Security operation in the 2 Division Area of Responsibility have rescued a 28-year-old kidnap victim and recovered an AK-47 rifle following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Kogi State.
The operation, according to security sources, took place at about 0300 hours on August 24, 2026, when troops from Patrol Base Obajana intercepted the victim, identified as Hussaini Shehu.
Preliminary questioning revealed that Shehu had allegedly been abducted from the Abaji general area of the Federal Capital Territory about five days earlier.
The rescued victim subsequently led the troops to the location where he had been held captive.
Security sources said the troops made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a firefight, forcing the criminals to abandon an AK-47 rifle and flee into the surrounding area.
The weapon was recovered by the troops, while the victim was evacuated to the military medical centre for medical attention.
Security forces have continued operations in the area to track the fleeing kidnappers and prevent them from regrouping.
The latest operation underscores the importance of intelligence-led patrols and rapid exploitation of information obtained from rescued victims in disrupting kidnapping networks operating across the FCT-Kogi corridor.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover AK-47 Rifle After Gun Battle in Kogi
Farmer Injured in Machete Attack by Herder in Plateau
Unidentified Corpse with Gunshot Wound Found Along Road in Plateau
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover AK-47 Rifle After Gun Battle in Kogi
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