Ten cows have been impounded by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) over alleged illegal open grazing and environmental nuisance in Arola, Apete, Ibadan.
The enforcement action followed complaints from residents who alleged that cattle were being reared within the densely populated residential area, creating environmental and public safety concerns.
OYRLEA said its enforcement team, working with security operatives, visited the area in the early hours of Tuesday to investigate the complaints and found them to be substantiated.
According to a statement signed by the authority’s Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), the team established that cattle were being reared in a residential environment and found evidence of open grazing.
Eight cows were impounded at the location during the operation.
Two additional cows were later seized after the enforcement team encountered them tied down and grazing openly along the route while returning from the operation, bringing the total number of impounded cattle to 10.
The authority said the activities violated provisions of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019.
“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,” the statement said.
Residents had complained about several issues allegedly associated with the livestock activity, including indiscriminate disposal of animal waste, noise and air pollution, as well as cattle grazing openly within the neighbourhood.
OYRLEA, however, stressed that the enforcement action was not directed at legitimate livestock owners.
It said the objective was to ensure compliance with existing legislation while protecting residents from environmental, health and public safety risks linked to illegal open rearing and grazing.
“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 statement added.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, and urged residents to report suspected violations.
It also assured members of the public that credible complaints would receive prompt attention.
Oyo State enacted the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, as part of efforts to regulate livestock production and address conflicts and other challenges associated with unrestricted cattle movement.
Tuesday’s operation adds to ongoing efforts by state authorities to prevent livestock from roaming freely in residential neighbourhoods and other areas where open grazing is prohibited.
OYRLEA said the latest enforcement was carried out in response to specific complaints from residents and within the framework of the state’s existing legislation.
