The Headquarters 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, has issued a stern warning to members of Oghede and Iyanomo communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, demanding they immediately cease encroachment on lands legally belonging to the Nigerian Army.
Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 4 Brigade, extended this warning to other communities adjacent to the Nigerian Army Cantonment Ekehuan in a statement released on Friday.
Community Leaders Under Fire
The military expressed particular concern over the activities of some community leaders, specifically naming the Enogie (Traditional Ruler), His Royal Highness King Osazebare Aghahowa, who they claim has been encouraging the illegal occupation of barracks land. According to the statement, these actions have undermined ongoing peace processes aimed at resolving the long-standing land dispute through dialogue.
"Despite the communities' illegal occupation of military land, the Nigerian Army, in a spirit of goodwill and civil-military cooperation, extended an olive branch by engaging in peaceful conflict resolution," the statement read. "Rather than seize this opportunity, the community took legal action against the Nigerian Army."
Failed Resolution Attempts
Captain Oteh explained that following legal developments and the realization that their claims lacked merit, the community opted for an out-of-court settlement, which the Army accepted as a responsible institution. However, instead of adhering to the resolution reached by the committee set up to explore this settlement—which mandated both parties to maintain the status quo—community leaders have reportedly continued selling portions of Army land to hoteliers, estate developers, and private individuals.
This "blatant disregard for lawful agreements" has now compelled the Brigade to consider taking decisive actions, including the demolition of illegal structures on military land within the Ekehuan Cantonment.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between military establishments and local communities over land ownership and usage rights in various parts of Nigeria, particularly in rapidly developing areas where land values continue to rise.
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