Borno Police Crack Down on Dead Meat Trade, Warn Butchers Against Selling Unfit Animals

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command has warned butchers, meat vendors and livestock traders against slaughtering, processing or selling meat from animals that die before inspection, saying offenders will face the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, issued the warning on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri convened to strengthen measures aimed at preventing the sale and distribution of unwholesome meat across the state.

The meeting followed the recent arrest of five suspects allegedly involved in processing and distributing meat from dead animals in Maiduguri, an incident that raised concerns over food safety and public health.

Mr Abdulmajid said the engagement was organised to prevent a recurrence of such practices and reinforce compliance with public health regulations governing meat processing and distribution.

According to him, the meeting was designed to improve monitoring systems, promote regulatory compliance and ensure that only meat certified fit for human consumption reaches the public.

“The objective is to safeguard public health by strengthening collaboration among relevant stakeholders responsible for food safety and hygiene,” the police commissioner said.

Participants at the meeting included officials from the Borno State Ministries of Health, Information and Internal Security, and Livestock and Fisheries Development, as well as representatives of the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), the Abattoir and Butchers Association, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and traditional rulers.

During the discussions, Mr Abdulmajid stressed the responsibility of government agencies, regulatory institutions and traditional leaders in preventing the slaughter, processing and sale of meat from animals that die from unknown causes or are otherwise unsafe for consumption.

He called for closer cooperation among relevant agencies, improved intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement to eliminate the illegal trade in contaminated meat.

The commissioner also directed authorities overseeing slaughterhouses, abattoirs and meat-processing facilities to tighten surveillance and ensure strict adherence to food safety standards.

He further emphasised the need for sustained public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the health dangers associated with consuming meat from diseased or dead animals.

Stakeholders at the meeting commended the police for initiating the engagement and pledged to work with security agencies and government institutions to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and protect public health.

Mr Abdulmajid reaffirmed the command’s commitment to collaborating with relevant agencies and local communities to ensure food safety, protect lives and prosecute individuals whose actions threaten public health.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving the slaughter, transportation, processing or sale of suspected unwholesome meat to the nearest police station or appropriate regulatory authorities.