ABUJA — The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to move beyond public apologies and enforce existing laws against stray cattle roaming Abuja roads and streets.
In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, and issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the rights group said weeks after the minister admitted the problem and pledged action, residents continue to report herds of cattle on major highways, residential areas and business districts.
“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,” the statement said.
HURIWA recalled that following its earlier criticism, the FCT minister addressed a press conference where he described the continued movement of cattle on Abuja streets as unacceptable and promised to address it.
However, the group said the menace persists, creating traffic hazards and exposing motorists and pedestrians to accidents while “diminishing the image of the nation’s capital.”
The association asked: “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?”
It stressed that “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.”
HURIWA noted that in many societies, livestock owners whose animals stray onto public highways are sanctioned because such negligence endangers lives and damages infrastructure. “Abuja should not be an exception.”
The group called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to implement practical measures including “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.”
It also urged security agencies, environmental authorities and area council administrations to work together to ensure that Abuja’s roads are safe.
While acknowledging ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT, HURIWA said modern roads cannot serve their purpose if occupied by roaming cattle.
“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.”
“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.”
