Police Command Arrests Five Suspects For Butchering D£ad Cattle, Supplying Unh£althy Meat To Roadside Vendors

Police Command Arrests Five Suspects For Butchering Dead Cattle, Supplying Unhealthy Meat To Roadside Vendors

The Command said the arrests were made as part of ongoing efforts to protect residents from activities capable of endangering public health and to curb the distribution of unwholesome meat.

The Borno State Police Command has said that its operatives arrested five suspects over their alleged involvement in the processing and sale of meat from dead cattle to unsuspecting members of the public in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The arrest raised fresh concerns over food safety and public health in the state.

The Command said the arrests were made as part of ongoing efforts to protect residents from activities capable of endangering public health and to curb the distribution of unwholesome meat.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (Crack Squad) acted on credible intelligence and arrested the suspects on July 29, 2026, at about 8:00 a.m. at the Old Maiduguri Cattle Market.

Daso identified the suspects as 43-year-old Modu Umar, 24-year-old Abba Mohammed, 21-year-old Adam Abubakar, 19-year-old Faruq Gambo, 24-year-old and Mada Usman.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that 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,” Daso stated.

“At the time of arrest, the suspects were allegedly found in possession of the carcass of a dead cow, which they were reportedly attempting to transport to the Morumti area of Maiduguri for further processing and distribution.

“The suspects are currently in police custody while discreet investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the activity, trace the intended distribution network, and identify and apprehend other persons who may be connected with the alleged practice.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, condemned the alleged practice, describing it as a serious threat to public health.

Abdulmajid assured residents that the Command would continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to prevent the sale and consumption of unsafe meat across the state.

As part of measures to forestall a recurrence, the police said the Commissioner would convene a community engagement involving abattoir operators, butchers’ associations, livestock dealers, meat vendors, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders.

The meeting, according to the Command, is aimed at strengthening monitoring mechanisms, improving compliance with food safety standards and developing strategies to prevent the processing and sale of contaminated meat.

The police also urged members of the public, particularly meat vendors and consumers, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities related to the slaughter, processing, transportation or sale of meat to the nearest police station or appropriate regulatory authorities.

The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents through collaboration with communities and relevant agencies.