Kogi State Government has advised the people of the State to stay away from consumption of beef for the next one week.

State Director of Veterinary Services, Doctor Salau Mohammed Tarawa gave the advice in a reaction to the death of over twenty cows in Lokoja as a result of poisoning.

Doctor Tarawa said upon receiving the report, officials of the Ministry swung into action and retrieved some of the dead cows that were discovered in the market while others are said to have been taken towards Osara, Ajaokuta, Obajana, Kotonkarfe and Kakanda for possible sales to unsuspecting members of the public.

According to him, the Ministry is collaborating with security agencies to invite the herders involved for questioning and appropriate action.

Also speaking, the Director, Primary Health Care of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hajia Muni Khadijat said the Council mobilized environmental officers who retrieved the beef gotten from some of the dead cows from Lokongoma cold room and market to the State Ministry of Health for necessary action.

Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mallam Sani Abdulganiyu appealed to the general public to cooperate with the Ministry to address the situation without compromising their health.

Speaking on the development, Head Agro Rangers Unit of the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayode Emmanuel said the cows were discovered by some officials of the Unit in Lokoja.

According to him the Cows emerged from the back of the State Secretariat complex where they had gone to graze and started behaving funny, slumping and died instantly within minutes.

According to him, upon interrogation the Fulani herder said he was coming out with them after grazing before the incident happened.

Speaking on the development, the State Public Relation Officer of the Kogi State Command of the NSCDC, Alex Agiri said the State Commandant, Suleiman Ibrahim Mafara has directed thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain where the dead cows had grazed and also prevent possible sale and consumption of the infected beef in the State.