The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly apologized to Abuja residents and motorists for the persistent presence of roaming cattle on the capital’s major highways and streets.
Speaking on Monday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike took personal responsibility for the regulatory failure, admitting that the sight of livestock competing with vehicular traffic remains a major stain on the city’s image.
“I apologize that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja. I take responsibility,” Minister Wike stated.
The menace of open grazing within the Federal Capital City (FCC) has been a long-standing grievance for residents. Wandering herds frequently obstruct traffic, deface public infrastructure, and present severe safety hazards on high-speed metropolitan roads.
Just days prior to the minister’s briefing, civic groups had renewed calls for strict enforcement, pointing out that cattle were being herded through high-security zones, including the Central Business District and areas near the Federal Secretariat.
While Wike had previously vowed to eliminate open grazing upon taking office, he acknowledged during the press chat that resolving the issue is highly sensitive. He described the management of the herder-city dynamics as a delicate matter involving broader implications, hinting at the national security complexities required to clear the streets without igniting deeper communal tensions.
Nonetheless, the minister assured the public that the FCT Administration (FCTA) is actively working on stricter enforcement strategies to permanently steer the livestock out of urban centers and into designated outskirts.
