Police Arrest 5 Over Alleged Sale Of Unsafe Meat In Maiduguri

(The Suspects. Photo by Healthwise)

The Borno State Police Command has detained five people for allegedly processing and selling meat from deceased animals to unsuspecting members of the public in Maiduguri.

According to the command, the individuals were captured on July 29 by agents from its Violent Crime Response Unit, popularly known as the Crack Squad, based on valid intelligence.

Nahum Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrests were part of the command's efforts to protect public health and prevent acts that could threaten citizens.

He named the suspects as Modu Umar, 43, Abba Mohammed, 24, Adam Abubakar, 21, Faruq Gambo, 19, and Mada Usman, 24.

According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations revealed that the defendants reportedly planned to obtain deceased animals, butcher the carcasses, and distribute the meat to roadside vendors for public sale.

According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended with the carcass of a dead cow, which they were attempting to carry to the Morumti region of Maiduguri for further processing and distribution.

"The suspects allegedly conspired to obtain cattle found dead, butchered the carcasses and supplied the meat to roadside meat vendors for onward sale to members of the public," the statement said.

Daso claimed that the suspects remained in jail while investigations were underway to determine the entire scope of the alleged plot, trace the intended distribution network, and identify other individuals associated with the activity.

He stated that after the investigations were completed, the suspects would face charges in court.

The state's Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, responded by condemning the claimed practice as a severe threat to public health.

He assured citizens that the command would continue to work with relevant government agencies and partners to prevent the sale and consumption of unsafe meat throughout the state.

"As part of preventive measures, the Commissioner of Police will convene a community engagement with abattoir operators, butchers' associations, livestock dealers, meat vendors, relevant regulatory authorities and other critical stakeholders to strengthen monitoring, promote compliance with public health and food safety standards, and develop measures aimed at preventing a recurrence," the statement said.

The command asked meat sellers and customers to remain watchful and report any suspicious activity involving meat slaughter, processing, transit, or sale to the nearest police station or regulatory authority.