Two suspects, identified as Omachi Yakubu, 26 and Salisu Abalaka, 32, has been arrested by the Kogi State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The suspects were nabbed by Veterinary doctors working in conjunction with men of the Agro Ranger unit of the NSCDC.
The Kogi State Commandant, NSCDC, Oyinloye John Kayode, who disclosed this during a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday, August 10, said the cow was certified unfit for consumption by the Veterinary doctors.
Kayode said that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off by his officers and men, who swung into action.
“It’s very unfortunate that the two suspects attempted to sell a dead cow whose cause of death was unknown for public consumption,” he said.
“We suspected that the suspects picked the dead cow from where it was probably discarded, with the attempt to resale to meat sellers at Felele Abbatoir. “But having been certified as unfit by the Agro Ranger unit of the Command, chemicals were used to destroy it and keep it away from the innocent public,”
He urged members of the public to be wary of the kind of meat they buy in the market so as not to get poisoned.
The Commander also charged the public to endeavour to report any case of suspected meat not certified fit for consumption to the appropriate authorities.
He assured me that as soon as the investigation of the incident was concluded, the suspects would be charged to court and prosecuted.
Also speaking to newsmen, CSC Bayode Emmanuel, Commander, NSCDC Agro Ranger, said the corps would ensure that no poisonous product, not fit for consumption finds its way into the market.
The Felele meat Inspection Team leader, Dr Ocholi Obaje and Dr Musa Gomina Mohammed, Area Veterinary Officer, Lokoja, praised the synergy existing between the Agro Ranger unit of the NSCDC and the Veterinary Department of the Ministry which led to apprehending the culprits.
