₦airaland Forum

by Leah Ndagi


The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lamented the presence of cows roaming the streets of Abuja, describing the menace as a national security issue.

The Minister insisted that livestock should not be allowed to move freely in the nation’s capital city.

Wike stated this on Monday during his monthly media chat in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by journalists over the increasing presence of cattle in parts of the city, despite ongoing efforts to improve the capital’s infrastructure and aesthetics.

Asked about cows grazing on lawns and roaming across roads in the FCT, the minister said: “It is an issue of national security.”

When pressed further on how the issue relates to national security, Wike replied: “No, no, no. We must face reality.”

According to him, the Federal Government’s policy direction on ranching remains the best approach to addressing the problem.

“One of the things we have done when we came in, but look, the President said, now let’s do ranching and see how we can take these cows, animals out of the city,” he said.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, Wike added: “It is an eyesore. It is not fair. It is not good.”

The minister noted that in many developed countries, livestock were not allowed to roam freely within urban centres.

“We have developed countries where they have cows. You have to go and see them. Go to Saudi Arabia. Go to all the cities. You cannot see the cows there. You cannot see them,” he said.

Wike lamented that government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at addressing the problem were often misunderstood or politicised.

“When you begin to develop some policies, people find it weird. ‘Oh, they are pushing cows because of this.’ No, no, no. It is an issue of national security,” he said.

The minister also addressed concerns over street trading, begging and other forms of nuisance within the city centre.

According to him, the FCT Administration (FCTA) has continued efforts to remove illegal traders from roadsides and unauthorised locations but required greater public support to sustain the exercise.

“You see again, when you see traders, this is where it is provided for you to trade, not to adjust anywhere. The next thing you see is a market. There is no market here. That also constitutes nuisance,” he said.

Wike added that the administration’s actions were intended to protect the integrity of the nation’s capital.

“We have been trying to, we have been doing that. But again, we need the media support to be able to educate the public that what we are doing is for the interest and for the generality of the people.

“This is the only one city we have in Nigeria. We cannot allow it to be destroyed simply because they are saying, ‘Oh, I want to go and see where I can find my daily bread.’ That does not mean you shouldn’t do what the law provides,” he stated.

Journalist: In 2023, you vowed you would remove cows from the streets of Abuja, but never happened.

Wike: pic.twitter.com/KE5eO5Mr54

— Chude (@Chude_ND1) June 1, 2026

badoh:
I think they need to call a meeting with the Fulani community that specialises in rearing cows and read a riot act to them. Let them know anyone found moving cows in the FCT major roads would be dealt with while the cows will also be siezed. By the time you jail some of them, their brain will reset. These are the people contributing to the problem facing Nigeria and that is why we say they need to split the country because our reasoning are different.

Islie:
https://leadership.ng/cows-roaming-abuja-streets-a-national-security-issue-wike-laments/

Journalist: In 2023, you vowed you would remove cows from the streets of Abuja, but never happened.

Wike: pic.twitter.com/KE5eO5Mr54

— Chude (@Chude_ND1) June 1, 2026

Breaking News: President Tinubu was Asked Today, What is your message to Nigerians about the Issue of Insecurity, he responded : “Issue of insecurity, that is the lawf, that is the obedience of law” 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ui3PxKoXnJ

— Gossip Mill Nigeria (@GossipMillNaija) May 27, 2026

badoh:
I think they need to call a meeting with the Fulani community that specialises in rearing cows and read a riot act to them. Let them know anyone found moving cows in the FCT major roads would be dealt with while the cows will also be siezed. By the time you jail some of them, their brain will reset. These are the people contributing to the problem facing Nigeria and that is why we say they need to split the country because our reasoning are different.

mirrael68:
The problem is, no be those Fulani herders get the cows. Na our ogas at the top. So Wike knows he can't touch the cows.

It's difficult to lead in this country.

Islie:
https://leadership.ng/cows-roaming-abuja-streets-a-national-security-issue-wike-laments/

Journalist: In 2023, you vowed you would remove cows from the streets of Abuja, but never happened.

Wike: pic.twitter.com/KE5eO5Mr54

— Chude (@Chude_ND1) June 1, 2026

mirrael68:
The problem is, no be those Fulani herders get the cows. Na our ogas at the top. So Wike knows he can't touch the cows.
It's difficult to lead in this country.

BizLeader:
This is the issue.

I have a friend who complained vehemently over the fulani issue in his state but he later told me he has cows that the same fulanis are helping him herd too. And the ROI yearly on it is like drug money.

I became and I am still confused till now over his complaints.

HacheNoire:
One thing I am 100% sure off is that, Nigeria will end up with RUGA and probably in another name.

There is no way out of the menace outside RUGA!

Religious and ethnic sentiment is what’s hindering progress.