The Enugu State Government has launched an investigation into meat sellers and farmers suspected of selling dead animals for human consumption. This move aims to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and ensure public health safety.
Prof. Ikechukwu Obi, Enugu Commissioner for Health, and Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, jointly issued a statement condemning the practice. They warned that consuming meat from animals that died of diseases can have serious health implications.
The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower tip-off indicating that animals which succumbed to flu and other diseases were being sold in the meat market. The government has activated its departments of public health, veterinary services, and local disease surveillance to address the issue. Inspectors are currently visiting livestock farms and abattoirs to verify the allegations.
The commissioners stressed that the sale of dead animals outside normal preparation methods is a serious crime with potential health risks, including zoonotic diseases that can easily transfer from animals to humans. They urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities through designated hotlines: 08037178703, 08066865511, 08037431577, or 08033375344.
The News Agency of Nigeria also noted that in July, the Veterinary Department of the State Ministry of Agriculture discovered and shut down sellers of uninspected and dead animals at Afo Awkunanaw Gariki Market.