06/08/2026
Enough of Excuses,Remove Cows from Abuja Roads, HURIWA Tells Wike
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, to move beyond public apologies and immediately enforce laws prohibiting stray cattle from roaming the streets and highways of Abuja.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group expressed concern that despite Wike’s earlier admission that the presence of cattle on Abuja roads was unacceptable, the situation has remained unchanged weeks after his assurance to address the problem.
HURIWA said residents continue to report herds of cattle moving freely along major roads, residential areas and business districts, posing serious risks to motorists and pedestrians while tarnishing the image of Nigeria’s capital city.
The association noted that although it welcomed the minister’s willingness to accept responsibility, repeated apologies could not replace effective enforcement of environmental and public safety laws.
According to HURIWA, Abuja should not continue to witness cattle roaming public roads without consequences, stressing that the continued failure to enforce existing regulations raises concerns about government’s commitment to the rule of law.
The group questioned whether authorities were unwilling to implement the law or were reluctant to act because those engaged in cattle rearing belonged 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,” the statement read.
HURIWA argued that in many developed countries, livestock owners whose animals stray onto public highways are sanctioned because such negligence endangers lives, damages public infrastructure and disrupts economic activities.
The association urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately implement practical measures to tackle the problem, including strict enforcement against owners of stray cattle, coordinated monitoring by relevant agencies, impounding wandering livestock and sustained public awareness campaigns on compliance with environmental regulations.
It also called on security agencies, environmental authorities and area council administrations to collaborate in ensuring that Abuja’s roads remain safe for residents and visitors.
While acknowledging the ongoing infrastructure development across the FCT, HURIWA maintained that modern roads and bridges could not achieve their intended purpose if they continued to be occupied by roaming cattle.
The group further lamented that cattle were littering highways with dung and destroying ornamental plants and vegetation established with public funds by the FCT’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
HURIWA insisted that infrastructure development must be complemented by effective enforcement of laws that guarantee public order, sanitation and safety, warning that the continued sight of cattle on Abuja highways undermines the capital city’s reputation.
The association concluded by urging the FCT Administration to demonstrate its commitment through concrete action, insisting that Nigerians deserve results rather than repeated apologies.