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By Oscar Okhifo
The Presidency has opened talks with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in a fresh move to curb the growing menace of cows roaming freely on major streets and highways in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The initiative follows mounting public complaints from residents over traffic obstruction, damage to green areas, and frequent accidents caused by stray cattle in the capital city.
A few days after assuming office as FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike had vowed to “send cows out of Abuja” and arrest recalcitrant herders. Two years later, however, the once fiery minister admitted the task was tougher than he thought, acknowledging that dialogue with stakeholders had become unavoidable.
According to Villa sources, senior government officials met with MACBAN executives earlier this week, reiterating the administration’s determination to enforce Abuja’s masterplan, which prohibits open grazing and animal movement within the city center.
A senior aide at the Presidential Villa explained:
“The President directed that all relevant stakeholders, including herders’ associations, should be engaged in dialogue to find a lasting solution. Abuja is the seat of government, and it must reflect order and decency.”
At the meeting, MACBAN leaders were urged to sensitize their members on ranching practices while adhering to FCT regulations.
MACBAN’s National Secretary reportedly assured the government of cooperation, while stressing the challenges herders face.
“We will continue to educate our members to embrace ranching, but government must also support with infrastructure and designated areas,” he said.
While many residents welcomed the dialogue, skepticism lingers.
Mrs. Raliat Jimoh, a businesswoman in Wuse, said:
“Every day you see cows crossing the expressway at Berger or Area 1. It is dangerous and embarrassing for a capital city. We’ve heard promises before, but nothing changes.”
Similarly, cab driver Emmanuel Okeke lamented:
“Sometimes they block the road completely and you waste 20 to 30 minutes waiting for cows to pass. Government must be serious this time.”
On social media, some residents mocked Abuja as “the only modern capital where cows share roads with cars.” Others referred to the city as “Cows City” and “headquarters of our Cowstry.”
Urban planner and analyst, Dr. Tunde Bello, warned that the problem tests the government’s political will:
“If Abuja cannot demonstrate the discipline of its masterplan, then no Nigerian city will. Dialogue must go hand-in-hand with decisive action.”
Past operations by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to impound stray cattle often met resistance from herders who accused authorities of harassment.
Is the sliver bullet here finally? residents are keenly watching to see if this renewed presidential intervention and Wike’s shift from threats to dialogue will finally end the long-running nuisance of cattle roaming freely across the capital.
Not even high-profile gateways such as the Airport Road, frequented by diplomats and foreigners, have been spared. Stray herds still mill around its stretch, drawing what many see as an international embarrassment for the nation’s capital.