Oyo Warns Herders: Open Grazing May Attract ₦500,000 Fine, Five-Year Jail Term

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has warned herders that a first offence under the state’s anti-open grazing law could attract a ₦500,000 fine or five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

The authority’s chairperson, retired Justice Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi, gave the warning during a live radio interview in Ibadan, as the state intensifies enforcement of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019.

A statement issued by the state government on October 23 said the authority had begun enforcement operations, including early-morning activities that led to cattle being impounded in several locations.

The areas listed include Atowoda in Ido Local Government Area, Batake Village along the Ibadan-Eruwa Road, Idi-Iroko and Moniya. Government farm settlements in Ido, Ijaye and Akinyele were also identified as locations where unauthorised grazing would not be permitted.

Aderemi said the state’s farm settlements were designated for agricultural activities and should not be used for unauthorised cattle grazing. She advised those interested in livestock rearing to approach the Ministry of Agriculture for the necessary licence and allocation of ranching facilities.

Under the penalties described by the OYRLEA chairperson, repeat offenders risk 10 years’ imprisonment or a ₦2 million fine. Offenders may also be required to compensate farmers whose crops have been damaged, based on an assessment by the state Ministry of Agriculture.

The authority said its enforcement activities were based on petitions from farmers and evidence of crop destruction. Aderemi rejected allegations of bias and extortion against enforcement officers, maintaining that the authority followed due process.

She urged residents to report suspected violations and said the enforcement campaign was not directed at any ethnic group or occupation.

OYRLEA was established in April 2024 to promote compliance with existing state laws covering areas including environmental protection, traffic, agriculture and public order.

The latest warning reinforces the state government’s position that open grazing in prohibited areas will be addressed through enforcement of the existing law. The precise circumstances of any alleged offence, and the applicable penalty, remain matters to be dealt with under the relevant legal process.