The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that controlling cattle roaming freely on roads and public spaces in Abuja is not part of its primary responsibility, saying the task falls under relevant environmental authorities.
The clarification was made by the police spokesperson, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, during a joint security spokespersons’ briefing on Tuesday, as concerns continue to grow over the presence of cattle on major roads and other public areas within the Federal Capital Territory.
Iniedu explained that the Ministry or Department of Environment is responsible for controlling animals, including cattle, within the FCT.
He, however, said the police would intervene where roaming cattle are linked to an offence, such as trespassing or causing damage to property.
According to him, residents whose property is damaged or whose premises are allegedly trespassed by cattle can report the matter to the nearest police station, after which the force will investigate the complaint.
The spokesperson stressed that police officers would not ordinarily be deployed simply to search for and remove roaming cows because doing so falls outside the force's mandate.
“We will commence investigation immediately. That is if a complaint was made. If it is going out to look for cows, it is not one of our responsibilities,” Iniedu said.
The clarification comes amid renewed public concern about cattle frequently seen roaming on Abuja roads, with residents and motorists raising concerns about traffic, road safety and possible damage to public and private property.
The issue has previously attracted the attention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who in June apologised to Abuja residents over the continued presence of cattle on major roads and accepted responsibility for the situation.
Wike had also described efforts to remove the cattle from the city as a sensitive national security matter, saying discussions were ongoing with stakeholders in the livestock sector on how the animals could be moved away from the roads.
The FCT Police Command had previously engaged leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) over cattle roaming and communal clashes. During the September 2025 meeting, the police warned against the continued movement of cattle within Abuja's city centre and called for peaceful coexistence and respect for the rights of residents.
The latest police position therefore places responsibility for the general control of roaming livestock with environmental authorities, while retaining a law-enforcement role whenever cattle-related incidents involve alleged offences, property damage or trespass.
The clarification is expected to reignite discussion about which FCT authority should take the lead in enforcing regulations against livestock roaming freely within Abuja and how the problem can be addressed without creating further tension between residents and livestock owners.
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