Tragedy has struck in Ilorin, Kwara State, after 30 cows perished from consuming poisoned grains.

The incident occurred over the weekend as the cows grazed near the School of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies. Witnesses reported that the cows suddenly collapsed and died upon returning to the Mandate Market.

Olugbon, one of the cow owners, expressed suspicion of sabotage. “We received a distress call that our cows were falling and dying,” he said. “We discovered they had eaten poisonous grains and 30 were dead before we could intervene.”

Ismail Ibrahim, another herder, confirmed the deaths and added that other affected cows are being treated. “We’ve lost over 30 animals,” he stated.

The Babaloja of Mandate Market, Murtala Tanbariku, lamented the incident and appealed for government assistance.

Meanwhile, the Kwara Monitoring Group (KMG) has raised concerns about the possible sale of contaminated beef. “Dead animals are being slaughtered and distributed to butchers,” alleged Dan-Musa, the group’s coordinator.

In response, a government delegation led by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Commissioner for Health visited the market to confiscate suspected beef. “We are activating measures to protect the public from any potential threats,” they stated.

Laboratory tests are underway to confirm the cause of the cow deaths. The government has urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious meat to authorities. CONTINUE READING