Oyo seals 15 veterinary clinics, seizes goods over regulatory breach

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Oyo State Government has sealed 15 veterinary clinics and confiscated goods worth millions of naira for violating the Oyo State Private Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment (Regulation) Law, 2017.

The enforcement, carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, followed routine inspections in Ibadan, which revealed that the affected clinics were operating without the mandatory registration of their premises.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, represented by the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Olaoye Olakunle, said the operation was aimed at safeguarding animal health, ensuring food safety, and protecting public health.

He explained that the law requires all veterinary establishments and practitioners in the state to register annually with the government to enable monitoring and regulation of their activities. This, he said, is crucial to preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks and eliminating quackery in the sector.

Barrister Olaleye warned that violators of the law would face appropriate legal action. He added that the state’s enforcement campaign would continue until full compliance is achieved.

He urged all private veterinary practitioners to ensure they are properly registered with the Ministry to avoid sanctions.

The enforcement team included the Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. John Famoyin; the President of the Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners, Dr. Awoyele Adebayo; and other stakeholders in the veterinary sector.