The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that managing roaming cattle in the Federal Capital Territory is not part of its statutory responsibilities.
The Force spokesperson, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, made this known on Tuesday during a joint briefing by security agencies in Abuja.
He was responding to concerns over the increasing presence of cattle wandering along major roads and other public areas in the nation’s capital.
According to Iniedu, the responsibility for controlling animals, including cattle, lies with the relevant environmental authorities.
He, however, explained that the police would intervene where roaming cattle are linked to criminal or other offences.
“The responsibility for the control of animals is the Ministry or Department of the Environment.”
He added that police involvement would become necessary if a cow caused damage to property, trespassed or was connected to another offence.
“Where we come in is if the cow has committed an offence or the cow is involved in the destruction of your property or trespassing your property.”
Iniedu advised residents affected by such incidents to report them to the nearest police station, assuring that complaints would be investigated.
“We will commence investigation immediately. That is if a complaint was made.”
The police spokesperson stressed that officers would not be deployed simply to search for or remove roaming cattle, as such an assignment falls outside the police mandate.
“If it is going out to look for cows, it is not one of our responsibilities.”
The clarification comes amid growing concerns about cattle wandering freely on Abuja roads and in public spaces, with residents raising issues around road safety, traffic disruption and possible damage to property.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had previously said he had the authority to address cattle grazing in Abuja but declined to comment further, describing the matter as one involving national security.
Wike had directed questions on the issue to the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
