The Kwara State Government has promptly responded to alarming reports of potentially poisoned meat being sold at Mandate Market in Ilorin, following the mysterious death of 33 cows.
Prompted by concerns raised by the Kwara Monitoring Group (KMG) in a statement released on Sunday, April 21, 2024, the state government issued an urgent appeal for calm. It assured the public that steps were being taken to manage the situation and prevent any risk to public health.
The KMG reported that the deceased cows were suspected to have been poisoned, and the meat from these cows was distributed to butchers and potentially sold to unsuspecting consumers.
“It happened along Atere Road (that leads to Al Hikma campus) right inside College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin,” the KMG statement detailed.
“It is our prayer that the concerned ministry and agency take appropriate action as nobody knows whose family the poisoned meat could be sold out to in the market,” it added.
In response, the Kwara State Government dispatched a team to the market, led by the Commissioners for Health and Agriculture, Dr. Amina El-Imam and Toyosi Thomas Adebayo, respectively.
A government statement titled “Kwara govt team arrives Mandate market, confiscates suspected beef” outlined the steps taken by the officials.
“Kwara State Government officials and experts have arrived at the Mandate Market in Ilorin to activate measures to protect the public amid rumours of poisoned cow meat,” it stated.
The statement confirmed that all suspected meat has been confiscated for laboratory tests to verify the claims.
It added, “The government has immediately confiscated all the suspected meats for laboratory tests and confirmation of claims after initial engagements with the Mandate Market stakeholders.”
Authorities have reassured the public, urging calm and patience as they investigate the validity of the poisoning claims.
