Nigeria, Nov. 27 -- Beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient tree in his abode in the Wurno area of Sokoto, Aliyu Hassan drifts into memories of a time when donkeys were cherished and honoured.

"My father and grandfather relied on donkeys just as I do now. They weren't just animals; they were part of our family, part of our survival."

He recalled the day they acquired their first donkey, how it carried their harvest, fetched water, and kept their farm thriving. These gentle creatures once roamed freely, their brays echoing through the village, weaving a rhythm into the fabric of daily life.

"But everything has changed," lamented Mr Hassan, his voice thick with nostalgia. "Now I hear stories of donkeys vanishing overnight, taken by ...