The Kogi State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded two suspects, Omachi Yakubu 26 and Salisu Abalaka 32 for attempting to sell a dead cow certified unfit for consumption by Veterinary doctors working in conjunction with men of Agro Ranger unit of the corps.

The Kogi State Commandant, NSCDC, Oyinloye John Kayode, made the disclosure in a press conference on Thursday in Lokoja.

The commandant said following a tip-off, men of his Command, swung into action, and arrested the two suspects who attempted to sell a dead cow whose cause of death was unknown.

He lamented that the alleged suspects had exhumed the meat after it was buried in an attempt to resell it to the meat sellers at the Felele abattoir.

The Commander said having been certified as unfit by the Agro Ranger unit of the Command, who added chemicals and ordered for it to be discarded, expressed dismay that the alleged suspects were caught while trying to resell the meat to the Felele abattoir where Veterinary doctors had earlier certified it as unfit for consumption.

The State Commandant urged members of the public to be mindful of the meat they buy and to report any case of suspected meat not certified fit for consumption.

The commandant assured that the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

Shedding more light on the unwholesome meat, Commander of Agro Ranger NSCDC, CSC Bayode Emmanuel said following the mandate of the NSCDC to ensure that no poisonous product finds its way into the market, the unit on a tip-off, swung into action and arrested the suspects for attempting to sell the dead cow meat to the public.

He said the meat had earlier been chemicalised by veterinary doctors attached to the Felele abattoir before the Agro Ranger Unit, swiftly arrested the duo.

Also speaking, the Felele meat Inspection Team lead, Dr Ocholi Obaje and Dr Musa Gomina Mohammed, Area Veterinary Officer, Lokoja, praised the synergy existing between the Agro Ranger unit of the NSCDC and the Veterinary Department of the Ministry which led to the arrest of the culprits.

Reacting to the charge, the suspects, Omachi Yakubu and Salisu Abalaka owned up to the crime, but said having discovered the meat on their farm, took some home for consumption and attempted to sell the remaining to the Felele abattoir, before their arrest. (Daily Independent)

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