The Borno State Police Command has arrested five suspects for allegedly butchering dead cattle and supplying the meat to roadside vendors for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
The Command said the suspects were apprehended at the Old Maiduguri Cattle Market following credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Modu Umar, 43; Abba Mohammed, 24; Adam Abubakar, 21; Faruq Gambo, 19; and Mada Usman, 24.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to obtain cattle that had died, butcher the carcasses and distribute the meat to roadside vendors for onward sale.
The police said the suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to transport the carcass of a dead cow to the Morumti area of Maiduguri for further processing and distribution.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged operation, trace the distribution network and identify other persons who may be connected with the illegal activity.
The Command said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, condemned the alleged practice, describing it as a serious threat to public health.
He assured residents that the Command would continue collaborating with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to prevent the sale and consumption of unwholesome meat across the state.
As part of measures to curb the practice, the commissioner said the Command would convene a community engagement with abattoir operators, butchers’ associations, livestock dealers, meat vendors, regulatory authorities and other critical stakeholders to strengthen monitoring, improve compliance with public health and food safety standards, and develop strategies to prevent a recurrence.
The police also urged members of the public, particularly meat vendors and consumers, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities relating to the slaughter, processing, transportation or sale of meat to the nearest police station or appropriate regulatory authority.
