The Borno State Police Command has intensified efforts to curb the processing, distribution, and sale of meat from dead animals by engaging key stakeholders to strengthen food safety and public health measures across the state.
The stakeholder meeting, held on Wednesday in Maiduguri, was convened by the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, alongside members of the Command’s management team. It followed the recent arrest of five suspects allegedly involved in processing and distributing meat from animal carcasses to unsuspecting consumers.
The engagement brought together representatives of the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), the Abattoir and Butchers Association, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
Addressing the participants, the Commissioner of Police stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, regulatory bodies, and traditional institutions to prevent the sale of meat from animals found dead or otherwise deemed unfit for human consumption.
He called on authorities responsible for supervising slaughterhouses, abattoirs, and meat-processing facilities to strengthen surveillance and ensure strict compliance with public health and food safety regulations.
CP Abdulmajid also emphasised the need for sustained public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the health risks associated with consuming unwholesome meat.
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Stakeholders commended the Police Command for the initiative and pledged to work closely with security agencies and relevant authorities to improve monitoring, enforce regulations, and protect public health.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to collaborating with communities and relevant agencies to safeguard lives and ensure that anyone involved in activities that threaten public health faces the full weight of the law.
The Police also urged members of the public 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 authorities.
