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The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has issued a stern warning to herders, declaring that open grazing remains strictly illegal across the state.
First-time offenders face a mandatory fine of ₦500,000 or five years’ imprisonment under the state’s anti-open grazing legislation.
Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd.), chairperson of the authority, announced the strict penalties during a live radio interview in Ibadan on Friday. She emphasized that enforcement operations apply to everyone without exception to protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure public order.
Consequently, the state has intensified dawn raids and monitoring operations in local government areas to clamp down on unauthorized cattle rearing.
Enforcement Raids Target Government Farm Settlements and Local Routes
During her broadcast, Aderemi disclosed that enforcement teams have already impounded multiple cattle during operations across several zones.
- Targeted Locations: Raids covered Atowoda in Ido Local Government Area, Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road, Idi-Iroko, and Moniya.
- Farm Settlements: Officers cleared unauthorized livestock from government farm settlements in Ido, Ijaye, and Akinyele.
- Licensing Requirements: Aderemi urged herders wishing to rear cattle to obtain official licenses from the Ministry of Agriculture and utilize allocated ranches.
Furthermore, she highlighted that Section 16(1) of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law prescribes even harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
Stiff Penalties for Repeat Violators and Ongoing Public Awareness
Under the statutory provisions, repeat offenders face up to 10 years’ imprisonment or a ₦2 million fine.
Additionally, violators must pay full compensation to affected farmers based on official damage assessments by the Ministry of Agriculture.
- Dismissal of Bias: Aderemi dismissed allegations of ethnic bias and extortion against enforcement officers as false and misleading.
- Public Cooperation: She urged residents to report suspected violations promptly to safeguard food security and maintain peace.
Finally, OYRLEA vowed to sustain joint conflict-resolution committees and public awareness campaigns to prevent herder-farmer clashes across the state.
