The Kwara State government has initiated a temporary closure of the abattoir at Mandate Market in Ilorin, Ilorin West Local Government Area in response to allegations of the sale of toxic cow meat.

The decision, as announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, includes immediate general cleaning and fumigation of the abattoir to prevent further contamination from the suspected poisonous meat. The abattoir will remain closed until Wednesday.

Wakadaily news reported that amid heightened anxiety over the fatalities of 33 cows from poisoning and the purported sale of their meat at Mandate Market in Ilorin, the state authorities have called for tranquility as inquiries proceed.

The ‘Kwara Monitoring Group (KMG)’, in a statement issued on Sunday, April 21, 2024, highlighted the need for swift action from the Commissioners for Environment and Health, as well as the Kwara Environmental Protection Agency, to prevent the distribution of the tainted meat to unsuspecting consumers.

The State Government responded to these concerns by dispatching a team to Mandate Market, which resulted in the confiscation of the suspected poisoned beef.

This action was detailed in a statement jointly signed by the Commissioners for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, and Agriculture, Toyosi Thomas Adebayo, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring public health and safety in the face of such alarming reports.

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.”

Ayinla clarified that the temporary closure of the market was a measure taken to safeguard the public in response to concerns raised by the non-governmental organization, Kwara Monitoring Group, about contaminated meat.