There were general disgust and apprehension in Port Harcourt over the weekend following reports of over 27 dead cows were ferried into the state from the north to cause havoc in the state.
In the markets, residents shunned beef as news filtered into the city that the said dead cows had been poisoned to ensure the reduction in the voting population of the state. A visit to the markets by theportcitynews.com showed that beef sellers experienced low patronage as residents patronized fish, chicken and other proteinous foods.
Theportcitynews.com reported that the Ikwerre local government council chairman, Samuel Nwanosike, had contacted the police to investigate the matter after reports of the dead cows hit airwaves in the local government, a claim the Rivers State Police Command and Ministry of Health denied, describing the report as mere rumour and baseless.
The press secretary to the Ministry of Health told theportcitynews.com that the ministry was prompted to embark on proper investigations immediately it was notified of the development, adding that the animals came from a far place and the vehicle that brought them had fault, so with time spent to repair the vehicle, some of the animals died.
The Ministry also stated that the dead cows have been evacuated and urged the public to go about their normal activities without panic as there is no cause for alarm.
He added that his team is working with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that all meats sold in the market are safe.
The spokesman of the State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said, only 16 cows died on the road, as against 27 claimed by the report, adding that investigations are still on and assured that findings would be made available to the public immediately it is concluded.
Also, Dr. Ekanam, Director of Primary Health Care and Dr Joy Wohioka, who is in charge of Health Care, Ikwerre Local government area of the state have joined hands with the police for proper investigation.
It was alleged that over four cows among the dead had been distributed and sold for public consumption before the arrival of security agents.
