The Borno State Police Command has arrested five abattoir workers for processing and selling meat from the body of a dead cattle to unsuspecting consumers.
The Police informed that the suspect, 43-year-old Modu Umar, Abba Mohammed, 24; Adam Abubakar, 21; Faruq Gambo, 19; and Mada Usman, 24 were involved in obtaining carcasses of cattle that had died, butchering them and supplying the meat to roadside vendors for sale to members of the public, and were nabbed following a credible intelligence by the Command.
The security agency, while stating that the is a serious threat to public health, held that the operation was conducted by it’s Violent Crime Unit on July 29, 2026, at about 8 a.m at the Old Maiduguri Cattle Market in Maiduguri, which led to the recovered the carcass of a dead cow from the suspects at the time of their arrest.
It added that the meat was transported for further processing and distribution before police operatives intercepted the vehicle.
The command disclosed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the operation, identify the intended distribution chain and arrest other individuals believed to be connected with the alleged illegal business, further stating that the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, condemned the alleged sale of meat from dead animals, warning that such activities pose significant health risks to residents.
“The Command will continue to work closely with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to prevent the sale and consumption of unwholesome meat within the state,” the police commissioner said.
Beyond the arrests, Abdulmajid announced plans to convene a community engagement involving abattoir operators, butchers’ associations, livestock dealers, meat vendors and relevant regulatory agencies.
He said the meeting would focus on strengthening monitoring mechanisms, improving compliance with food safety standards and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The command also urged residents, meat vendors and consumers to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving the slaughter, processing, transportation or sale of meat to the nearest police station or relevant regulatory authority.
Police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that unsafe meat does not find its way into markets across the state.