Oyo impounds 20 cows in two Ibadan enforcement operations

Oyo State authorities have impounded 20 cows in two Ibadan operations following complaints of open grazing, cattle rearing in residential areas and damage to crops.

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, working with security personnel, seized nine cows at Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road and 11 at Idi-Iroko in the Moniya area. The operations took place within 24 hours.

In a statement issued on Thursday and reported by Premium Times, the authority said the Batake operation was carried out on Wednesday after Adewolu Farms complained that cattle had repeatedly entered its farmland. The farm grows cassava, maize, yam and cashew, according to the authority.

The authority said its team arrived at dawn and found cattle at the location. It said herders attempted to move the animals away when they saw the team, but officials impounded nine cows.

The separate Idi-Iroko operation followed allegations of open grazing and cattle rearing within a residential area, the authority said.

The authority has carried out other enforcement operations in the state. It impounded 10 cows in Arola, Apete, in September after residents complained about cattle rearing in a densely populated neighbourhood and open grazing. In July, it seized 19 cows in Iseyin following a farmer’s complaint that grazing cattle repeatedly damaged farmland.

The authority said the operations were conducted under the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019.

Source: Premium Times