Cattle breeders in Oyo State have threatened to halt the sale of milk, cows, goats, and rams within two weeks.

They also vowed to shut down butcheries and intermediary businesses, including all cattle markets across the state.

The ultimatum, which took effect on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, follows the enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Prohibition Law (2019).

In 2024, the state government established the Oyo State Rule of Law and Enforcement Authority to implement various laws, including those against open cattle grazing, traffic violations, open defecation, and indiscriminate waste disposal.

The two-week deadline was announced on Tuesday during a media parley held at Akinyele in Ibadan by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, and other socio-cultural associations in the cattle business value chain.

The groups urged the state government to address their grievances promptly or face an indefinite strike. They complained that even cattle not grazed in open fields were being seized by enforcement teams.

MACBAN Chairman in Oyo State, Alhaji Ibrahim Jiji, expressed frustration over the implementation of the anti-grazing law, describing it as harsh.

He appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to “have compassion on Fulani cattle breeders,” citing years of peaceful coexistence and their contributions to the state’s security and economy.

According to him, their concerns include the seizure of cattle in enclosed settlements, the imposition of heavy fines, and the prosecution of owners in court.

“Cattle breeders felt they were not consulted before the law’s implementation began,” Jiji said, adding that buying land for ranching has been nearly impossible because locals refuse to sell to them. He stressed the need for viable ranching alternatives.

Jiji revealed that Fulani breeders had resolved that if the government fails to meet with them within two weeks, they will halt the sale of livestock products and close butcheries, intermediary businesses, and cattle markets indefinitely.

South-West Woman Leader of MACBAN, Hajia Aminat Idris, also appealed to the government, saying, “If there’s no peace for us cattle breeders, there’s no peace for those in the value chain.”

South-West Leader of the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, Olagoke Lateef Apata, added, “We’re not against the law, but the enforcers are doing beyond what the law says.”

Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, Alhaji Sanni Mohammed, urged the governor to intervene.

“I appeal to the governor to have mercy on us. This is where we get money to feed and train our children. We don’t know any other business we can do. The government should look for a way to accommodate us in the scheme of things,” he said. (The PUNCH)