Data on weekly population and destinations of pigs at the four selected live pig markets
A total of 34 visits were carried out to the four selected LPMs for data and sample collection within 13 months period. The common breeds at the four selected live pig markets visited were the crossbreed of Nigeria Indigenous Pig (NIP), Large White, Landrace and Duroc with an age range from 6 months- 5 years. Weekly population of pigs at the selected LPMs was as follows: Katsit (3,000-6,000 pigs) (Fig1A, Table 2 ), Pandam (1,500-3000 pigs) (Table 2, Fig 3B), Dawaki (400-500 pigs), and Numan pig markets (1,000- 1,500). The pig population on a market day depends on the season of the year, there are more pigs during the dry season compared to the rainy season. Overall, it is estimated that 500,000 -700,000 pigs transit through these markets yearly. Data collected based on the interview of the pig market officials shows that the pigs are also brought to the market and transported to several locations (Fig 1-2). Pigs bought from Katsit pig market are supplied to 18 towns or cities in 13 States of Nigeria, (Table 2, Fig 2). Pigs are brought into Katsit pig market from several towns or villages in Kaduna (14), Niger (4), Nasarawa (3), and Plateau (2) States (Table 2, Fig 1). While pigs at the Pandam market are sourced from villages or towns in Plateau State (20) and Nasarawa State (4). Interestingly, pigs from Pandam pig market are also transported to the Katsit pig market. Furthermore, pigs sold at Dawaki pig market are mostly sourced from villages and towns in Bauchi (2) and Plateau (8) States, and transported to 5 States in Nigeria (Table 2). Live pigs traded at the Numan pig market are sourced from towns and villages in Adamawa (9), Gombe (7), and Taraba (2) States as well as the Republic of Cameroon. From the Numan pig market, the pigs are transported to 5 States of Nigeria (Table 2, Fig 2). Based on the data collected at the slaughter slabs within or closed to the LPMs, averagely, 15-40 pigs are slaughtered at Katsit, while 4-10 pigs are slaughtered at Dawaki, Numan, and Pandam Markets. The number of pigs slaughtered is dependent on the season of the year and disease outbreak. Postmortem meat inspection is usually carried out by a veterinary assistant with emphasis on zoonotic diseases like tuberculosis and porcine cysticercosis which are partially or wholly condemned for destruction.