The Kwara State House of Assembly on Wednesday raised grave concern over the growing menace of cattle, horses, and other livestock roaming freely on major roads and highways across the state, warning that the trend is endangering motorists and causing recurring accidents.

The alarm followed the presentation of a motion titled "Need to Avert the Dangers Inherent in the Unsupervised Movement of Cattle, Horses and Other Animals on Public Roads in Kwara State." The motion was sponsored by lawmakers Abdulkadir Magaji (Ilorin Central), Odetundun Olushola (Irepodun), and Lawal Ayanshola Saliu (Ipaye/Malete/Oloru).

Motion Highlights

Moving the motion, the House Leader said the indiscriminate movement of livestock on public roads had taken a "dangerous dimension," leading to:

• Collisions and destruction of vehicles.
• Disruption of traffic flow in several parts of the state.

The lawmakers further noted that allowing livestock to stray onto highways violates existing legislation on animal control, road safety, and public order, stressing that the negligence of livestock owners continues to put human lives and the animals themselves at risk.

"Motorists are often forced to swerve to avoid hitting the animals, a situation that has resulted in multiple accidents, vehicle damage and, in some cases, injuries," the lawmakers submitted.

House Resolutions

Following the debate, the Speaker of the House, Yakub Danladi, announced the resolutions, directing key government bodies to take immediate and strict action:

• Ministry of Livestock: Directed to commence strict enforcement of laws that hold animal owners accountable for permitting their livestock to roam unsupervised.
• Ministries of Justice and Environment: Mandated, in collaboration with Local Government Authorities, to enforce all regulations prohibiting the free movement of livestock on highways and urban roads.
• Local Government Authorities: Directed to promptly establish Livestock Control Units, adequately staffed and equipped, for the impoundment of stray animals and the prosecution of negligent owners.

The directive comes amidst repeated public complaints about stray animals causing danger, particularly along popular routes such as the Jebba-Ilorin axis and urban areas like Fate Road and Sango.