Joanna Yusuf
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Nigerian Customs Service alerts officers on the outbreak of a deadly disease known as the Charcoal Anthrax, in neighbouring Niger Republic.
The service called on the officers to exercise vigilance on the movement of the animals from Niger Republic into Nigeria.
The NCS circular to its officers across the country was signed by the Controller Enforcement, Comptroller Victor Dimka on behalf of the Deputy Comptroller- General in-charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection.
“The headquarters received a report which reveals that the Nigerien Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of an outbreak of Charcoal Anthrax disease, Bacterium Bacillus Anthracis variant, in sheep and cattle in the country.
“Given the supply of cattle and sheep from Niger to Nigeria, the CGC (Controller- General of Customs) has directed on urgent need to place additional precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease into Nigeria through our land borders.” The circular said.
The FMARD said the anthrax is a deadly zoonotic disease with a high rate of mortality in humans and livestock.
