The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has commenced active enforcement of laws prohibiting street trading, open grazing, and other related offences across the state.
The exercise began on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital, led by the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), and the Chairman of the Environmental Task Force, DCP Francis Ojomo (retd.).
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, and made available to the press in Ibadan.
According to the officials, the enforcement signals the state government’s renewed commitment to upholding environmental and public safety regulations, with violators to face prosecution under existing laws.
One major operation took place at Bodija Market, where the team cleared street traders operating on roadways. Several mini-stalls, mobile counters, and roadside wares were removed during the exercise.
Justice Aderemi recalled that the crackdown followed months of extensive sensitisation campaigns, which began with a formal flag-off at Bodija Market in January 2025.
“OYRLEA is now taking enforcement action to ensure compliance,” she said.
In a related operation, enforcement officers responded to petitions from residents of Unique Estate, Oluyole, where three rams and a cow were seized for violating anti-open rearing and grazing laws. The animals’ owner has been issued a seven-day ultimatum to reclaim them or face forfeiture and fines.
Similarly, residents of Abidiodan, Lagelu Local Government Area, have been given seven days to remove illegal shanties built on road setbacks. Authorities say these structures have become criminal hideouts and are being used for illegal activities.
The enforcement team operated in collaboration with Operation Burst, the Environmental Task Force, personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), and other security agencies.
The Chairperson of OYRLEA reiterated the agency’s determination to enforce environmental and sanitation laws, stressing that compliance is essential to improving safety, urban order, and public health across Oyo State.
