A cattle farmer in Oyo State, Mohammed Abubakar, has raised an alarm over what he describes as a midnight invasion of his settlement by individuals identifying themselves as state government officials. The incident, which took place at the Ilaju cattle farm settlement along the Eruwa road in Ido Local Government Area, has left the farmer distressed after several of his livestock were seized under controversial circumstances.
Recounting the ordeal to Reports in Ibadan, Abubakar explained that the raid occurred around 4:00 a.m. last Thursday, just as his family was preparing for the early morning Ramadan fast. He claimed the officials arrived in a convoy, destroyed his living quarters, and carted away six of his cattle. According to him, one of the animals was killed during the operation, prompting him to immediately lodge a formal complaint at the Ido Police Station.
The situation took a tense turn when Abubakar and police officers, while heading back to the farm, encountered the team on the road. The leader of the group reportedly identified himself as a police officer and directed the farmer to the state secretariat. Abubakar expressed deep frustration to Reports, alleging that this was not an isolated incident. He claimed that farmers are often asked to pay exorbitant fees, sometimes double the market value of the seized livestock, to reclaim their property. He insisted that his cattle were not grazing on anyone’s land and questioned why the operations always take place in the middle of the night.
Providing clarity on the matter, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development but maintained that the raid was a legitimate government operation. The police spokesperson explained that the state government has accused the herder of violating laws against open grazing. According to the authorities, the exercise was a joint effort between the State Law Enforcement Authority and officials from the Ministry of Environment to enforce state regulations.
While the government maintains the raid was a necessary enforcement of environmental and grazing laws, the timing and methods used have left the affected farming community feeling targeted. The case highlights the ongoing friction between local agriculturalists and enforcement agencies regarding the implementation of state land-use policies.
