Residents of Kwara State are in a state of panic following the tragic death of over 30 cows believed to have ingested poisoned grains.
The incident occurred as the cattle were being grazed from Mandate market to the School of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies. Mr. Olugbon, one of the affected cow owners, recounted receiving a distressing call about the cows collapsing on their return journey, attributing the deaths to the consumption of toxic grains along their path.
Expressing concern over the significant loss, Mr. Olugbon hinted at possible sabotage, emphasizing the routine nature of the grazing route and previous compensations for any damage caused by the cattle. Another cattle rearer, Mr. Ismail Ibrahim, mentioned that the surviving cows were receiving treatment and close monitoring. Both owners appealed for government intervention to alleviate their plight.
The Babaloja of Mandate Market, Murtala Tanbariku, lamented the unfortunate incident and urged government assistance for affected traders. Meanwhile, the Kwara Monitoring Group (KMG) raised alarm over reports of some dead cows being processed for sale, urging swift government action to prevent the distribution of poisoned meat to unsuspecting consumers.
Dr. Abdullateef Olugbon, the state director of Veterinary Services, assured the public of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health by cracking down on illegal meat outlets and ensuring the safety of meat consumed by the populace. He cautioned against purchasing meat from unauthorized sources, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of meat for human consumption.
