Oyo Herdsmen Accuse Officials of Illegal Livestock Seizures

Fulani herdsmen in the Ido local government area of Oyo State have accused officials from the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) of illegally seizing their livestock. The herdsmen, led by Alhaji Saliu Babangida, reported that a team comprising Amotekun, vigilante groups, and OYRLEA personnel confiscated 10 cows from Goronjo, which were allegedly sold without the owner's consent.

Additionally, 16 cows belonging to Abubakar Mohammed of Konguo village were returned after he paid N8.5 million. The herdsmen also claimed that 9 cows were seized at Sonso, while 10 cows and 5 sheep remain unreturned.

Alhaji Abubakar Saliu, another herdsman, alleged that these operations typically occur at night, with officers claiming to represent the state government. The herdsmen expressed concerns over extortion, bias, and unlawful livestock seizures by OYRLEA officials, which have caused them significant economic hardship.