Police arrest 5 over alleged sale of meat from dead cattle in Borno
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Borno State Police Command has arrested five suspects over their alleged involvement in the processing and sale of meat obtained from dead cattle in Maiduguri, raising concerns about public health and food safety.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso.
It said operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (Crack Squad) carried out the arrest on July 29, 2026, following credible intelligence.
The suspects were apprehended at the Old Maiduguri Cattle Market.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly conspired to source cattle that had died, butcher the carcasses, and distribute the meat to roadside vendors for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
Police said the suspects were found in possession of the carcass of a dead cow, which they were reportedly transporting to the Morumti area of Maiduguri for further processing and distribution.
The suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to determine the extent of the operation and identify other possible collaborators.
They are expected to be charged in court upon completion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police condemned the alleged practice, describing it as a serious threat to public health, and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting residents and ensuring food safety standards across the state.