Borno Police Arrest Five Over Alleged Sale of Meat from Dead Cattle

The Borno State Police Command has arrested five suspects for allegedly processing and selling meat from dead cattle to unsuspecting members of the public in Maiduguri.

The arrests were made on July 29, 2026, following a credible intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (Crack Squad) at the Old Maiduguri Cattle Market.

The suspects, identified as Modu Umar (43), Abba Mohammed (24), Adam Abubakar (21), Faruq Gambo (19), and Mada Usman (24), are alleged to have conspired to obtain cattle that had died naturally, butcher the carcasses, and supply the meat to roadside vendors for resale.

Police said the suspects were apprehended while allegedly transporting the carcass of a dead cow to the Morumti area of Maiduguri, where it was reportedly intended for further processing and distribution.

The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Naziru Abdulmajid, condemned the alleged practice, describing it as a serious threat to public health. He assured residents that the Command would continue collaborating with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to prevent the sale of unsafe meat across the state.

According to the police, investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the operation, identify the distribution network, and apprehend other individuals linked to the alleged crime. The suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

As part of efforts to prevent a recurrence, the Commissioner of Police announced plans to hold a community engagement with abattoir operators, butchers’ associations, livestock dealers, meat vendors, and regulatory agencies to strengthen compliance with food safety standards.

The Command also urged residents, especially meat vendors and consumers, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities related to the slaughter, processing, transportation, or sale of meat to the nearest police station or relevant authorities.