Oyo State Crackdown: 10 Cattle Impounded Over Open Grazing Law Breach

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has confiscated ten cows following allegations of unlawful open grazing and environmental disruption in the Arola community of Apete, Ibadan. This development was confirmed in a press release issued on Tuesday by the authority's Chairperson, Honourable Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.).

The enforcement exercise, carried out in conjunction with security personnel, was prompted by a formal complaint from local residents. The petition highlighted concerns about cattle rearing within their densely populated residential zone. Residents also voiced grievances regarding the uncontrolled disposal of animal waste, excessive noise and air pollution, and the practice of open grazing in the vicinity.

According to the authority, an enforcement team visited the area in the early hours of Tuesday to verify these complaints, finding substantial evidence to support them. Eight cows were initially seized at the primary location. Subsequently, while the team was returning from the operation, two additional cows were spotted openly grazing and tied down along their route, leading to their impoundment as well, bringing the total to ten.

Justice Aderemi's statement elaborated: “Acting in the early hours of today, the enforcement team visited the area to verify the complaints and found them to be substantiated. The team confirmed that cattle were being reared in a residential environment and established evidence of open grazing, in contravention of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019. Eight cows were impounded at the location. While returning from the operation, the team sighted additional cows tied down and grazing openly along the route. Two more were seized, bringing the total to ten.”

OYRLEA clarified that these actions are not aimed at legitimate livestock owners but are intended to ensure adherence to the law and to safeguard residents from the environmental, health, and public safety hazards linked with illegal open rearing and grazing. The statement reiterated, “OYRLEA stated that the action is not targeted at legitimate livestock owners but is aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and protecting residents from environmental, health, and public safety risks associated with illegal open rearing and grazing.”

The authority reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law of 2019 and encouraged citizens to continue reporting any violations. It guaranteed that all credible complaints would receive prompt attention. The Oyo State Government enacted this law in 2019 as a measure to regulate livestock production and mitigate conflicts and other issues stemming from open grazing. This recent enforcement is part of ongoing efforts by state agencies to control livestock movement and prevent cattle from roaming freely in residential and other restricted areas. The authority emphasized that this operation specifically addressed resident complaints and was conducted strictly within the framework of existing state legislation.