Herders who allow their cattle to graze openly in Oyo State risk imprisonment and heavy fines as the state intensifies enforcement of its anti-open grazing law, the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority has warned.
The authority’s chairperson, retired Justice Aderonke Aderemi, said first-time offenders could face a fine of ₦500,000 or five years’ imprisonment, while repeat offenders risk up to 10 years in prison or a ₦2m fine.
Aderemi gave the warning during a live radio interview in Ibadan, insisting that nobody would be exempt from enforcement of the law.
She said the authority had launched intensive operations against violations, including dawn raids that led to cattle being impounded at Atowoda in Ido Local Government Area, Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road, Idi-Iroko and Moniya.
The operations also covered government farm settlements in Ido, Ijaye and Akinyele, which she said were designated for agricultural activities and must not be used for unauthorised cattle grazing.
“Open grazing is illegal in Oyo State. The law is very clear. Our farm settlements are for farmers, not for herders,” she said.
Aderemi advised livestock owners who wished to rear cattle to obtain licences from the Ministry of Agriculture and secure allocated ranches.
She said the destruction of farmers’ crops and livelihoods would not be tolerated, citing Section 16(1) of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, as the legal basis for the penalties.
According to her, repeat offenders could also be ordered to compensate affected farmers, with the amount determined through an assessment by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The retired jurist dismissed allegations that enforcement officers were biased or extorting residents, describing the claims as false and misleading.
She maintained that operations were based on petitions from farmers and verifiable evidence of crop destruction, adding that due process was followed.
“Our operations are based on petitions from farmers and verifiable evidence of crop destruction. Due process is always followed,” she said, urging aggrieved residents to report their complaints to the authority rather than make allegations publicly.
Aderemi said the authority had stepped up public awareness campaigns through radio and television jingles, alongside meetings with farmers, herders, traditional rulers and livestock dealers.
She added that joint conflict-resolution committees had been established to prevent disputes between farmers and herders from escalating into violence.
The OYRLEA chairperson urged residents to report suspected violations promptly, saying public cooperation was necessary to protect livelihoods, maintain public order and improve food security.
“We are not targeting any tribe or occupation. We are protecting the rule of law,” she said, adding that the law would also be enforced against other violations, including keeping cattle in residential areas, indiscriminate refuse disposal and trading on roads.
OYRLEA was established by Governor Seyi Makinde in April 2024 to promote compliance with existing laws on the environment, traffic, agriculture and public order.
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