Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority has launched a renewed offensive against illegal open grazing, impounding livestock in the Apata Olomo area along the Ado-Awaye Road in Iseyin Local Government Area on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The enforcement operation was triggered by multiple complaints from local farmers who alleged that herdsmen had allowed their cattle to graze on farmlands, destroying crops and causing significant economic losses. The Chairperson of the Authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), disclosed in a statement released on Thursday that the operation was carried out by a team led by a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Francis Ojoomo, alongside the Chief of Staff to the OYRLEA Chairperson, Kofoworola Akinbode, and other security personnel.
“During the operation, the allegations were verified as the team discovered livestock openly grazing in violation of the state’s regulations on open grazing and livestock control,” Justice Aderemi said. “This led to the impoundment of some of the animals by the enforcement team.”
The operation is a continuation of a wider crackdown against illegal livestock trading and unauthorized grazing that has seen the enforcement agency and other security operatives arrest offenders and seize animals across the state. In a separate operation in early June, the Authority’s officers raided unauthorised livestock trading spots in the Liberty area and along the Elekuro High School axis on Akanran Road in Ibadan. They also intercepted livestock roaming freely around the Sawmill Onipepeye area, where they impounded several rams and a goat.
Justice Aderemi reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to enforcing the law, protecting farming communities, and ensuring compliance with regulations guiding livestock management. “The law is not limited to farm settlements alone. It also applies to individual farmlands, and it is binding on both farmers and livestock rearers,” she reiterated.
The intensified enforcement comes ahead of the Ileya festival, with the Authority warning livestock traders against roadside sales. “Anybody found selling rams, goats, sheep or chickens on the roadside during the Ileya festival will face the full wrath of the law,” Justice Aderemi cautioned. She called on herders occupying government land illegally to vacate such areas and seek proper allocation from the Ministry of Agriculture for ranching purposes.
Oyo State is among several states that have introduced measures to regulate open grazing in a bid to reduce recurring clashes between farmers and herders, protect agricultural investments and strengthen food security. The state government has repeatedly warned against illegal grazing activities and directed relevant agencies to enforce compliance with existing livestock management laws.
The state has also engaged farmers and herders in a roundtable discussion on compliance with the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, with participants agreeing to set up a committee to handle disputes and hold periodic engagements. The Oyo State House of Assembly had earlier called for far-reaching reforms to strengthen the operations of the state security network agency, Amotekun, and improve the implementation of the anti-grazing law following a post-legislative scrutiny of both laws.
Justice Aderemi commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his peaceful and inclusive approach to governance and conflict management, noting that the measures have helped to reduce violent clashes between farmers and herders across the state.
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