In response to the public outcry over the reported deaths of 33 cows due to poisoning and the alleged sale of their meat at Mandate Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State Government has issued an appeal for calm.

The government is urging the public to remain calm in light of the situation. A group known as the “Kwara Monitoring Group (KMG)” released a statement on April 21, 2024, calling on the Commissioners for Environment and Health, as well as the Kwara Environmental Protection Agency, to take immediate action to prevent the sale of the poisoned meat to unsuspecting consumers.

It mentioned “Over 33 cows were suspected to be poisoned and died immediately but surprisingly, the dead animals were slaughtered and distributed out to butchers to be sold.

“It happened along Atere Road (that leads to Al Hikma campus) right inside the College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin.

“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.”

In response to the allegation, the State Government took action by sending a team to Mandate market. The team, comprised of the Commissioners for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, and Agriculture, Toyosi Thomas Adebayo, arrived at the market to confiscate meat that was suspected to be tainted.

The information provided was as follows, “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.

“On the team were the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo; Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam; officials from the Ministry of Environment, including the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Mrs Folorunsho Idayat, and officials from the Ministry of Health including the Permanent Secretary, Alhaja Afusat Ibrahim, and the Director of Public Health Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, among others.

“The government has immediately confiscated all the suspected meats for laboratory tests and confirmation of claims after initial engagements with the Mandate Market stakeholders.

“Further information will be given as may become necessary. The government urges members of the public to be calm while the team establishes the truth of the rumour of poisoned meat. It also commends the leadership of the market for their cooperation so far. members of the public to be calm.”