Politics
HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over the continued presence of stray cattle on major roads and streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), weeks after the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, publicly apologised to residents and accepted responsibility for the embarrassing situation.
While HURIWA commends the minister for acknowledging the problem, the association insists that repeated apologies cannot substitute for decisive enforcement of existing environmental and public safety laws. Abuja, as Nigeria’s capital city, should not continue to witness herds of cattle roaming highways, residential districts and business corridors without consequences.
Consequent upon HURIWA previous criticism of the failure of the FCTA to clear cows roaming the highways abd streets of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, the minister addressed a press conference whereby he had admitted that the continued movement of cattle on Abuja’s streets was unacceptable and pledged to address the challenge.
However, several weeks after that assurance, residents continue to report the sight of cattle roaming freely on major roads, creating traffic hazards, exposing motorists and pedestrians to avoidable accidents, and diminishing the image of the nation’s capital.
HURIWA therefore asks: Why has it become so difficult to enforce laws prohibiting animals from straying onto public roads? Are the relevant authorities unwilling to implement the law, or is there a political reluctance to enforce it because those predominantly engaged in the cattle business belong to an influential ethnic constituency?
Nigeria is governed by the rule of law, not by ethnic or political considerations. Environmental regulations and traffic laws must be applied uniformly without fear or favour. No individual or group should enjoy immunity from laws enacted to protect public safety simply because of ethnic identity, occupation or political sensitivity.
The civil rights group recalls that in many civilised societies, livestock owners who allow animals to stray onto public highways are sanctioned because such negligence endangers lives, damages public infrastructure and disrupts economic activities. Abuja should not be an exception.
HURIWA urges the Federal Capital Territory Administration to move beyond public assurances by immediately implementing practical measures to end the menace. These should include strict enforcement against owners of stray cattle, coordinated monitoring by relevant agencies, impounding of wandering livestock, and sustained public enlightenment on compliance with environmental regulations.
The Rights advocacy group further calls on security agencies, environmental authorities and area council administrations to work together to ensure that Abuja’s roads are safe for motorists, pedestrians and residents.
While HURIWA acknowledges the ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, it emphasises that modern roads and bridges cannot achieve their intended purpose if they are routinely occupied by roaming cattle. HURIWA said it is antithetical to urbanisation for cows to be allowed to litter the highways with cow dungs, destroy rare plants and vegetation planted with hundreds of millions of Naira at public expenses by the department responsible for Gardens, recreation and parks in Abuja, only for cows to be left to destroy these valuable plants.
HURIWA conclusively argued that rapid Infrastructure development must go hand in hand with effective enforcement of laws that guarantee public order, sanitation and safety.
The continued sight of cattle on Abuja’s highways undermines the capital city’s reputation and raises legitimate questions about government’s commitment to equal enforcement of the law. Nigerians deserve action, not endless apologies.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).
Thursday, August 6th, 2026.
A.I
Aug. 7, 2026
Tags: Barrister Nyesom Wike HURIWA