Authorities in Oyo State have intensified enforcement of the ban on open grazing, impounding five cows discovered roaming along the Molete expressway in Ibadan.
The action was part of a coordinated operation by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), which also targeted illegal street trading activities in Challenge, Gate and Molete areas.
Officials disclosed that the animals were intercepted while straying onto the expressway, posing a danger to road users. Their seizure, they noted, aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to curb open grazing and maintain public safety.
The exercise was briefly disrupted at Challenge when suspected hoodlums attempted to interfere with the operation. Security personnel, however, responded swiftly, dispersing the crowd and restoring order without incident.
Leading the enforcement team were the Chairman of the State Environmental Task Force, retired DCP Francis Ojomo, and the Chief of Staff to the OYRLEA Chairperson, Iyabode Akinbode.
In addition, four suspects were arrested and arraigned for allegedly obstructing officials and violating environmental regulations.
The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on open grazing and illegal street trading, stressing that there will be no retreat in efforts to ensure compliance.
