Not fewer that eight cows were struck dead in Oyinmo quarters in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East local government Area of Ondo state.
This is coming barely a month after The Herald reported that 36 cows were struck to death by lightening in the same state.
Newsmen gathered that the cows which belonged to Fulani herdsmen, were grazing atop a mountain when the lightning suddenly struck them dead. The Herdsmen looking after the cows, immediately fled the scene of the incident.
The Fulani Herdsmen in trying to cut corners and count their losses, sold the dead cows to butchers at an unusually low price
However, the Police have arrested five butchers for attempting to sell the contaminated beef to unsuspecting members of the public.
Mr. Femi Joseph, Ondo state Public Relations Officer has confirmed the incident saying, the Police have begun investigation the case.
In Mr. Joseph’s statement, “It was the environment officers that discovered that the Fulani boys were selling the contaminated cows to the butchers and reported to us. So about four butchers have been arrested and one herder on the matter. We will charge them to court after the completion of our investigation.”
In the meantime, sales of beef (cow meat) have been banned in the community market and those of the four surrounding local government areas pending the time investigation will be completed.
The affected local governments are: the Akoko North- East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-West and Akoko South-East.