The Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, BASEPA, has arrested four individuals for violating environmental safety regulations by using tyres to process animal hides during the Eid al-Adha festivities in the state.
The Director-General of BASEPA, Dr Mahmud Bose, made the disclosure in an interview with journalists on Wednesday.
He said the arrests were part of proactive measures to protect public health and the environment during the Eid al-Adha celebrations.
“The suspects, apprehended during routine surveillance, were found using tyres to burn animal hides, a practice banned due to its serious health and environmental implications. They are set to appear before a mobile court for prosecution today,” he said.
Dr Bose stated that large quantities of contaminated meat were also confiscated and destroyed during the mass slaughtering that accompanies the Sallah celebrations.
“We banned the use of tyres as a measure to safeguard public health and the environment. Burning tyres releases harmful chemicals like dioxins and furans, which can lead to respiratory problems and long-term environmental damage,” he explained.
