By Hope Temitope
The Kwara State government, on Sunday, ordered the temporary shutdown of the abattoir and the immediate general cleaning and fumigation of the market, in response to suspected meat poisoning, at Mandate Market in Ilorin, Ilorin West Local Government Area.
The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the abattoir would remain shut till Wednesday.
Ayinla said the decision was part of the efforts to protect members of the public after a non-governmental organisation, Kwara Monitoring Group, raised the alarm that meat from over 33 cows, which allegedly died of poisoning had found its way to the market for sale to the public members.
The state government said the meat had been seized and taken for laboratory test.
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.
