The Borno State Police Commissioner, Naziru Abdulmajid, has warned butchers and meat vendors against the sale and distribution of animals’ carcass in any part of the state..

Abdulmajid gave warnings on Thursday in Maiduguri at stakeholders’ meeting on the sustained preventive measures to curb the sale and distribution of meat from dead animals to unsuspecting consumers.

“Following our recent arrest of five suspects in connection with the alleged processing and distribution of animals’ carcass in Maiduguri, I had to convene today’s stakeholders engagement with the butchers and vendors in the state,” was also to safeguard public health and hygiene.

The police chief added that the high-level stakeholders engagement aimed at strengthening monitoring, regulatory compliance and adherence to public health and food safety standards across the State.

The Thursday engagement also brought together critical stakeholders and representatives from the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), Abattoir/Butchers Association.

Others that participated in the engagement on the sale of dead cows’ meat include Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and traditional rulers among others.

During the engagement, the Commissioner of Police highlighted the critical roles of relevant government agencies, regulatory bodies, traditional institutions in preventing the processing, distribution and sale of meat from animals found dead or otherwise considered unfit for human consumption.

The commissioner, therefore  called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, timely information sharing and coordinated measures to effectively address the menace.

The CP further urged authorities responsible for the monitoring and supervision of slaughterhouses, abattoirs and meat-processing facilities to enhance surveillance and ensure strict compliance with established public health and food safety standards.

He also emphasized the need for sustained sensitization and public enlightenment on the health risks associated with the consumption of unwholesome meat.

The stakeholders commended the Borno State Police Command for convening the engagement and expressed their readiness to collaborate with the Police and other relevant authorities towards addressing the situation, strengthening monitoring mechanisms and safeguarding public health.

The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to working collaboratively with relevant agencies and communities to protect lives, promote public safety and ensure that persons engaging in activities capable of endangering public health are dealt with in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are  encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving the slaughter, processing, transportation or sale of unwholesome meat to the nearest Police Station or appropriate regulatory authority.