The Oyo State Government has impounded 20 cows in two separate operations in Ibadan following complaints of open grazing, cattle rearing in residential areas and destruction of farm crops.

The actions were carried out by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority in collaboration with security operatives.

The operations took place within 24 hours at Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road and at Idi-Iroko in the Moniya area of Ibadan.

According to a statement from the authority, nine cows were seized at Batake Village on Wednesday after Adewolu Farms petitioned over the repeated invasion of its farmland by cattle.

The farm grows cassava, maize, yam and cashew. Officials and security personnel arrived at dawn and found cattle being kept at the location. When the herders tried to move the animals away, nine cows were successfully impounded.

In a separate operation at Idi-Iroko, Moniya, 11 cows were seized over alleged open grazing and the rearing of cattle within a residential area. The latest enforcement forms part of ongoing efforts against open grazing in the state.

The authority said the operations were carried out under the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law of 2019. It reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law in order to protect residents, farmers and lawful economic activities across the state.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper