Gombe State, on Wednesday, unveiled its state-wide livestock vaccination campaign after recording a decline in livestock mortality from 28.1 per cent in 2022 to 12.2 per cent in 2025.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his deputy, Manassah Jatau, inaugurated the campaign in Gombe, targeting transboundary animal diseases, including Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

Mr Yahaya said the exercise was aimed at protecting animal health and reducing the risk of humans consuming infected animals or contracting zoonotic diseases.

He said the state was investing in livestock development because of its contribution to livelihoods and residents’ nutritional needs.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting livestock development in the state and thanked development partners for their investments in the sector.

Also speaking, Salihu Baba-Alkali, Gombe Commissioner for Livestock Development, said the state’s interventions had focused on disease prevention and improved livestock production through modern breeding technologies.

Mr Baba-Alkali said the interventions had contributed to a 15.9 percentage-point decline in livestock mortality over the three-year period.

He said 518,932 animals were vaccinated across the state in 2025 under the annual livestock vaccination campaign and other animal health interventions.

According to him, the exercise covered 269,883 cattle and 106,908 goats vaccinated against anthrax, 94,894 sheep vaccinated against anthrax and 47,247 poultry birds vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

Mf Baba-Alkali urged livestock owners, farmers, pastoralists, traders and community leaders to cooperate with veterinary personnel during the campaign.

He also urged livestock owners to present their animals for vaccination, provide accurate information to veterinary officials and promptly report suspected disease cases.

Modibbo Yahaya, Gombe chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), commended the state government’s efforts to improve animal health and livestock production.

He also commended the government’s efforts to address farmer-herder clashes and appealed for measures to prevent farmers from encroaching on cattle grazing routes.

 (NAN)