Owners of stray horses to face sanctions – Kwara environmental agency warns

Owners of stray horses in Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State are now to face appropriate sanctions, DAILY POST reports.

The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, KWEPA, issued the warning in Ilorin on Thursday in a statement by the spokesman, Opadiran Blessing, following an accident in which a vehicle crushed a stray horse to death opposite Kwara Hotels.

The agency expressed concern over the growing menace of stray animals within Ilorin metropolis.

The accident involved an unsupervised horse that collided with a moving vehicle, resulting in the horse’s death and significant damage to the vehicle.

Eyewitnesses reported that the horse had been roaming freely in the area before it suddenly strayed into the path of an oncoming vehicle, causing panic among road users.

A second stray horse, found nearby, was promptly apprehended by the environmental enforcement team to prevent further incidents.

In response to the situation, the General Manager of KWEPA, Jide Aina, condemned the persistent negligence of some horse owners and cattle herders who allow their animals to wander unsupervised on public roads.

He described the act as not only irresponsible but also a serious threat to public safety and environmental order within the capital city.

Aina emphasized that KWEPA will intensify its enforcement efforts to ensure full compliance with the state’s environmental and public safety regulations on animal control.

He warned that appropriate sanctions will be imposed on any individual found violating these directives, stressing that ignorance or negligence will no longer be excused.

Aina further urged all horse owners, cattle herders and livestock keepers to take full responsibility for the supervision and proper confinement of their animals.

He equally urged the public to report sightings of stray animals to KWEPA for immediate intervention, as part of a collective effort to safeguard lives and property.

KWEPA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all residents of Kwara State.

The agency also assured the public that it will continue to collaborate with relevant security and transport authorities to prevent future occurrences and ensure a more orderly and secure urban space in the state capital.