IBADAN — The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has impounded 10 cows in the Arola area of Apete, Ibadan, following complaints by residents over alleged illegal open grazing and environmental nuisance.
The enforcement operation, conducted in the early hours of Tuesday in collaboration with security operatives, followed a petition by residents alleging cattle rearing within the densely populated residential community.
In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), OYRLEA said its enforcement team visited the area to verify the complaints and found the allegations substantiated.
According to the authority, eight cows were impounded at the location, while two additional cows were seized after they were allegedly sighted tied down and grazing openly along the route as the team returned from the operation.
The authority said the exercise confirmed cattle rearing in a residential environment, alongside evidence of open grazing allegedly in violation of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019.
Residents had also complained of indiscriminate disposal of animal waste, excessive noise and air pollution, as well as the public health and safety concerns associated with unrestricted cattle movement within the neighbourhood.
OYRLEA stressed that the enforcement was not directed at legitimate livestock owners, but was intended to secure compliance with existing legislation and protect residents from environmental, health and public safety risks arising from illegal open rearing and grazing.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the 2019 law and urged residents to continue reporting suspected violations, assuring that credible complaints would receive prompt attention.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the state authorities to regulate livestock production and movement and prevent cattle from roaming freely in residential and other prohibited areas.
