RismadarVoice Reporters, April 29, 2026
Veterinary doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) have raised serious concerns over the deteriorating sanitary conditions at the Lafia Modern Abattoir, calling on the Nasarawa State Government to declare a state of emergency at the facility.
The President of the association, Dr Moses Arokoyo, made the call on Tuesday in Lafia after an inspection of the abattoir as part of activities marking the World Veterinary Day 2026.
Arokoyo described the abattoir as a critical public health facility whose current state poses grave risks to residents, warning that the absence of basic sanitation infrastructure particularly water makes it unsafe for animal slaughter and meat processing.
“You cannot have an abattoir without water. This is not a place where animals should be slaughtered. It is a public health risk,” he said.
He warned that the poor condition of the facility could trigger outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Anthrax, noting that the lack of proper flooring and drainage could allow harmful pathogens to persist in the environment for years.
“If there is an outbreak of anthrax here, it will not go away quickly. The spores could remain in the soil for years due to the condition of the facility,” Arokoyo added.
The NVMA president urged the state government to intensify monitoring of abattoir operations and ensure strict compliance with sanitation laws. He also recommended a complete reconstruction of the facility, including the provision of potable water, proper drainage systems, and modern slaughter infrastructure.
He further stressed that continued consumption of meat processed under such unhygienic conditions could expose residents to serious health complications, including risks to pregnant women.
Arokoyo also highlighted a critical shortage of veterinary personnel in the state, revealing that only six veterinarians are responsible for overseeing animal health services across 13 local government areas in Nasarawa State.
“This is a national emergency. Something urgent needs to be done,” he said.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of the NVMA, Dr Mukhtar Sabuwa, noted that the abattoir, constructed about 14 years ago, lacks essential facilities such as a proper slaughter slab, functional flooring, and an effective drainage system.
He lamented the absence of maintenance or renovation since its construction and suggested that the facility may require complete demolition if rehabilitation proves unfeasible.
On his part, the Secretary of the abattoir, Mohammed Gambela, attributed the poor conditions partly to inadequate water supply, calling for the provision of additional boreholes and water reservoirs to meet operational needs.
“We need more water and better infrastructure to function properly,” he said, appealing to the government to urgently intervene.
Meanwhile, at a commemorative lecture held at the Federal University of Lafia, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Akawu Anzaku, underscored the vital role of veterinary professionals in safeguarding public health.
Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Muhammed Danlamin Salihu, called for stronger collaboration among medical, veterinary, and environmental experts, emphasising the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health.
“If the environment is stable, humans will be stable. Public health is interconnected,” he said.
