Ogun State Cracks Down on Open Grazing: Violators Face Jail Time and Livestock Seizure

The Ogun State Government has sent a clear and uncompromising message to herders and cattle owners: engage in open grazing, and you will face severe consequences. Those caught violating the ban could spend up to three years behind bars and lose their livestock to the state — no exceptions, no fines. This stern action follows the state’s Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Law, passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2020 and signed into law by Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2021.

Source: News On The Move

With the law’s implementation now firmly in place, the government is cracking down on offenders. AIG Olusola Subair (retd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, emphasized that enforcement agencies have been ordered to ensure strict compliance, especially after persistent violations by some herders. These acts not only break the law but also endanger public safety, obstructing traffic, destroying crops, and encroaching on farmlands.

The law is crystal clear: anyone caught in the act of open grazing will face arrest, and if convicted, a mandatory prison term of no less than three years, along with the forfeiture of their cattle. In a state already frustrated by frequent clashes between farmers and herders, this move aims to protect livelihoods, prevent further conflict, and ensure that the practice of ranching becomes the norm.

However, Ogun's decision to enforce this law may encounter resistance similar to what has been seen in other states like Benue. There, herders have fiercely opposed such measures, leading to tensions that still simmer today. Whether Ogun will be able to weather such opposition remains to be seen.

For many herders, the idea of leaving behind the centuries-old tradition of roaming with cattle is a tough pill to swallow. This resistance has led to crop destruction and violent clashes with farmers whose livelihoods have been decimated. The government is adamant, though, that the solution lies in modernizing livestock practices through ranching — a shift that will benefit both herders and farmers in the long run.

Subair also took the opportunity to remind cattle owners that the law has been in effect since 2021, and that continued violations will no longer be tolerated. “We cannot allow this to continue,” he said. “The law was put in place to safeguard our peace, security, and food supply. It’s time for change.”

The state is determined to enforce the law to the letter, believing it will not only restore order but also foster a better relationship between herders and farmers while paving the way for a more sustainable future for the livestock industry.