Police have placed 5,000 dalasis fines on owners of cattle arrested cattle during the special security operation on illegal encroachment that has seen hundreds of structures demolished to keep the roadside safe and clean.

About 51 cattle were taken off the streets as part of police operation. 

Police spokesman ASP Modou Musa Sisaho said the Livestock Owners Association’s component of the task force has successfully removed 51 cattle from our highways, spanning from Brikama Nyambai to Brusubi Turntable.

“The cattle owners have been reporting to Abuko to identify their cattle. Following this process, the task force has returned twenty-two (22) cattle to their respective owners after they provided evidence of ownership and witnesses,” he said.

“For each cattle, the owner is asked to pay D5,000.00 and issued a strong warning that if these cattle are found on the roads again, owners will be prosecuted,” he added.

Meanwhile, he also said that the police arrested 70 people for allegedly breaking the rules of the ongoing operation to remove illegal encroachments on roads and highways.

Twenty-eight of the arrested people have been so far prosecuted before a court of law, and 17 have already pleaded guilty to the offence.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba