From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it has impounded over 500 cows in the territory between January and July.
Daily Sun gathered that about 36 cows were impounded, yesterday, around the Central Business District by a task force set up by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, last year.
The herdsmen, it was gathered, will be charged to a mobile court soon.
Daily Sun could not immediately verify whether or not the cows were later released to the herders or kept in the custody of the task force.
Media Assistant to the FCT minister, Mr Abubakar Sani, told Daily Sun that the exercise was part of an ongoing operation to rid the city of herders’ activities.
Sani said the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has been empowered by law to ensure there is no open grazing in any part of Abuja. He added that due process will be followed in handling the issue.
The minister, had last year, ordered that herdsmen remove their cows from the streets of Abuja. He had said it was “part of efforts to totally stop cattle grazing in Abuja metropolis and major entrance and exit highways into the city centre.”
The minister reiterated that herdsmen must move their cattle out of the federal capital city “because there is no way such animals can cohabit with the residents.”
“You have to understand that when Abuja Environmental Protection Board says cattle should not roam the city, it is not because they want to prevent cattle breeders from raring cattle in the FCT. Basically, it is just for safety. It is for safety of your cattle and above all, safety of the citizens.
“In a modern city, it’s not possible for animals and vehicles to move together on the roads because this could cause accidents, which in some cases could be fatal, and it is our duty to protect lives and property,” the minister was quoted to have said.