In Abuja, Cattle Graze Across City But Traders Are Chased From Streets By Task Forces

A middle- aged man and a kid wielding long sticks walked behind a herd of cattle, numbering almost 30, as they crossed the road leading to the National Stadium from where they graze through the city and up to the road leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

The passage of the animals caused a slight traffic hold up as motorists meander to avoid driving at them. The cattle, long accustomed to vehicular traffic in the city, “hurriedly” cross the road to make way, but after frustrated motorists had hooted and hooted to frighten the animals.

This scenario had become common in the nation’s capital city and there’s hardly a section of the capital where cattle would not be found grazing.

The city has gotten used to seeing cattle graze around green areas while hawkers are pursued by merciless personnel of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) .

It became clear why cattle get special status of untouchables while humans are daily harassed and taxed by AEPB which unleashed its men to every part of the city, seizing traders displaying their wares.

The Fulani man walked behind his cattle without a care about environmental task forces swooping on him or his cattle.

The confidence is not because they are above the law. It is because the cattle do not belong to them; they belong to those above the law.