In a bid to maintain environmental sanity and urban renewal, the Osun State Waste Management Agency(OWMA) has launched a mop-up exercise to capture and remove stray and free-range animals from Osogbo metropolis.
On Wednesday, enforcement officers from the agency were seen patrolling various neighborhoods, including Kobo, Kajoyo, and Kuliyat, to round up wandering animals. The operation resulted in the confiscation of several goats and sheep.
This move follows a prior warning from the Osun state government and some residents associations to animal owners to keep their livestock within their premises, as uncontrolled movement poses environmental threats and contravenes urban renewal plans.
A resident of Kajoyo Community, Rukayat Boderin, expressed support for the exercise, citing issues like littering, farm encroachment, and community conflicts caused by stray animals. She noted that the agency took the animals away, promising not to release them until a fine is paid as a deterrent.
Speaking to homeowners during an emergency town hall meeting on Thursday evening, the Chairman of Kajoyo Landlords Association, Elder Taiwo Olasunkanmi disclosed that enforcement agents from OWMA were deployed to specific areas in Olorunda North as part of measures to curb the menace. No fewer than 9 stray animals were picked up in Kajoyo.
He added that the state government has said it is concerned and will no longer tolerate the culture of releasing animals to roam around roads , streets and public spaces in the metropolis.
Elder Olasunkanmi also appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities to rid the state of stray animals, while owners of such livestock were also advised to take adequate care of them to avoid confiscation and prosecution.
However, some affected residents have reportedly protested against OWMA’s action, describing it as draconian.
In addition to causing accidents on roads, research has revealed that these stray animals can also spread contagious diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death.
