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The Oyo State Government has intensified enforcement of its anti-open grazing law, impounding 10 cows in the Apete area of Ibadan following complaints from residents over alleged illegal cattle rearing and environmental nuisance.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) in collaboration with security operatives.
According to OYRLEA Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), authorities acted after receiving a petition from residents of the Arola area of Apete, who complained about cattle being reared within the densely populated residential neighbourhood.
Residents also raised concerns about open grazing, indiscriminate disposal of animal waste, noise and air pollution associated with the livestock activities.
The enforcement team visited the community in the early hours of Tuesday to investigate the complaints. OYRLEA said its officers found evidence supporting the allegations and determined that cattle were being reared in a residential environment in violation of the state’s existing legislation.
Authorities initially impounded eight cows at the location.
While returning from the operation, the enforcement team reportedly encountered additional cattle tied down and grazing openly along the route. Two more cows were seized, bringing the total number impounded to 10.
The action was taken under the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, which provides the legal framework for regulating livestock movement and open grazing in the state. OYRLEA’s official mandate includes enforcement of anti-open rearing and grazing regulations alongside traffic, environmental and sanitation standards.
The authority stressed that the enforcement exercise was not directed against legitimate livestock owners or any particular group, but was intended to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from environmental, health and public-safety risks.
The latest action is not an isolated enforcement exercise. In June 2026, OYRLEA reportedly impounded six cows during operations against open grazing in different parts of Ibadan, including Old Ife Road, Alakia and areas around Ido LGA.
Oyo authorities have previously maintained that livestock owners have designated places to conduct their businesses and that the anti-open grazing framework was introduced partly to address farmer-herder conflicts, destruction of farmland, threats to public safety and disruption of livelihoods.
The latest enforcement also comes just days after a rights organisation petitioned Governor Seyi Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police over allegations of illegal cattle grazing and destruction of farmlands in several Oyo communities. Those claims remain allegations requiring investigation.
OYRLEA has urged residents to continue reporting suspected violations, promising that credible complaints would receive attention.
The incident highlights a wider national debate over how Nigeria should balance livestock production, farmers’ rights, environmental protection and peaceful coexistence.
The key question for Oyo is whether sustained enforcement of the 2019 law can move beyond occasionally impounding cattle and establish a livestock-management system that protects both farmers and responsible livestock owners while reducing farmer-herder conflicts.
