Meat of sick, dead animals sold in Nasarawa markets – Commissioner

Jameel Zakari, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, says some butchers in the state have been selling meat of sick of dead animals to customers.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lafia that his ministry had discovered the unwholesome practice and therefore vowed to deal squarely with any butcher caught in the act.
Zakari said: “The ministry of agriculture is working with security agencies to ensure that all those perpetrating this act are arrested and brought to Justice in order to safeguard the health of the people.
“We recently busted some of them in the act and discovered that they often slaughter sick or even dead animals between 12 mid night to 3 a.m. and bring the meat to the market.
“That is why you will notice that some of the meats you buy from the market are often tasteless.”
According to him, the act is criminal and will not be condoned by the government.
He noted that about 60 per cent of diseases affecting humans were animal-related, hence the need to check the excesses of the butchers in order to safeguard people from hazards.
Zakari also said that the ministry recently issued warning to fishermen using chemicals in fishing, saying it would henceforth view such acts seriously.
He said the practice was endangering various the fish species as most of them were not allowed to grow to maturity.