Kogi State government has temporarily banned the consumption of beef (Cow Meat) in the state over suspected poisoning.
It was reported that the state capital, Lokoja recently recorded a mysterious death of no fewer than 20 cows.
Naija News understands that the development has generated fears in the state as the mysterious death of the cows is suspected to be caused by poisoning.
Reacting to the incident, the state government warned residents of the state to stay away from the consumption of beef for one week.
A statement on Thursday, April 7 that was credited to the State Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Salau Mohammed Tarawa, said upon receiving the report, officials of the Ministry swung into action and retrieved some of the dead cows that were discovered in the market.
Tarawa said other cows were said to have been taken towards Osara, Ajaokuta, Obajana, Kotonkarfe and Kakanda for possible sales to unsuspecting members of the public.
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture is collaborating with security agencies to invite the herders involved for questioning and appropriate action will be taken against them.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mallam Sani Abdulganiyu appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the Ministry to address the situation without inviting terrible damage on their health.
Speaking on the development, Head Agro Rangers Unit Kogi State Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayode Emmanuel said the cows were discovered by some officials of the unit in Lokoja.
“The cows emerged from the back of the State Secretariat complex where they had gone to graze. All of a sudden, they started behaving funny, slumping and died instantly within minutes.
“Upon interrogation, the Fulani herder said he was coming out with them after grazing before the incident happened,” he added.
However, the State Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Command of the NSCDC, Alex Agiri said the State Commandant, Suleiman Ibrahim Mafara, has directed a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain where the dead cows had grazed and also prevent possible sale and consumption of the infected beef in the state.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News