The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has increased efforts against illegal open grazing and unauthorised livestock rearing, impounding several animals on Ado-Awaye Road in Iseyin.
The decisive enforcement operation was carried out in the Apata Olomo community following formal petitions from local farmers whose crops and farmlands were repeatedly destroyed by stray cattle.
The task force was mobilised by the Chairperson of the Authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), who made the official disclosure from Ibadan on Thursday.
Led by a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Francis Ojoomo, alongside the Chief of Staff to the OYRLEA Chairperson, Kofoworola Akinbode, the security team conducted an early morning raid on the targeted axis.
The operation successfully verified the farmers’ grievances, catching several herders openly grazing their herds in direct violation of the state’s extant livestock control frameworks.
The impoundment forms part of Oyo State’s broader statutory measures to regulate nomadic livestock movement, avert recurring farmer-herder skirmishes, and secure multi-million naira agricultural investments.
Justice Aderemi reaffirmed that the administration remains fiercely committed to protecting agrarian communities from economic sabotage.
She warned that the “new sheriff in town” would continue to execute surprise raids on illegal herding settlements, using specialised mobile courts and tribunals to penalise violators through steep fines and asset forfeitures.
The state government has repeatedly warned livestock owners to transition into managed ranching models or face severe legal consequences. With food security hanging in the balance, state administrators have directed all relevant security architecture, including the Amotekun Corps and environmental task forces, to sustain high-frequency patrols across major food-producing local government councils.
Lawmakers emphasised that enforcing total compliance with existing livestock management laws is non-negotiable to maintain rural peace and market stability.
Source: The Guardian News
Image Credit: Seyi Makinde
