In a scene that captures the surreal collision between urban life and rural reality in Nigeria’s capital, motorists involved in an accident reportedly caused by a herd of cattle attempted to hold one of the cows in compensation for the damage to their car.
The moment, shared by user Chuks Eric on X, shows a driver apparently attempting to detain the animal after the crash, with the caption: “Let’s hold like three cows”. The footage underscores the absurdity and frustration of a recurring problem that Abuja residents have long complained about: cows roaming freely on city roads.
The incident is the latest in a long line of similar occurrences. In June 2026, a driver in Bayelsa State lamented after a cow rammed into his vehicle with his family inside, damaging the car beyond recognition. In September 2021, a herd of cattle marched onto Lugbe Airport Road in Abuja, causing destruction to vehicles and injuring road users. The pattern is consistent: cattle take over roads, accidents happen, and accountability is nowhere to be found.
The police have stated that controlling roaming cattle is not their responsibility. In September 2026, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu clarified that the responsibility for animal control falls to the Ministry or Department of the Environment, and that the police can only intervene if the animal commits an offence, such as property destruction. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has also apologised for the persistent presence of cattle on Abuja roads, admitting it remains a concern for motorists and residents.
The winners: none. The losers: motorists who bear the cost of accidents caused by roaming cattle, and the Nigerian public, who must navigate roads that double as grazing routes.
Bottom Line: Motorists tried to hold a cow as compensation after an Abuja crash. It is a funny image. The problem behind it is not funny at all. The cows are roaming. The accidents are piling up. The authorities are pointing fingers. The question is who will finally take responsibility.