The Headquarters 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Benin City has issued a strong warning to individuals and groups in Oghede, Iyanomo, and nearby communities, cautioning them to desist from encroaching on lands that legally belong to the Nigerian Army.
Describing the situation as a growing concern, the Army said, “some community leaders, particularly the Enogie (Traditional Ruler), His Royal Highness King Osazebare Aghahowa, have continued to encourage the encroachment on barracks land,” an act it says threatens the peace efforts put in place to resolve the lingering dispute.
The Brigade emphasized that despite the illegal occupation of its land, it had chosen the path of dialogue. “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.
However, it expressed disappointment that rather than embrace peace, the community leaders opted for litigation, and when that failed, they returned to the table only to violate the resolution reached.
According to the Army, “the community leaders have continued to sell portions of Nigerian Army land to hoteliers, estate developers, and private individuals,” in breach of the status quo agreed upon during the out-of-court settlement.
It warned that this disregard for lawful agreements might force the Brigade to take firm measures, including the demolition of structures erected on military land.
Particularly worrisome, the Army stated, is that “some of these structures are sited in restricted zones, including areas designated for live firing exercises, thereby posing significant risks to public safety.” It added that if these activities continue unchecked, they could result in “the Enogie and his group of land grabbers unlawfully taking over the entire barracks area for personal gain.”
The Brigade also accused the traditional ruler of attempting to mislead the public, saying, “the Enogie is reported to have forged a Nigerian Army document falsely claiming that the Army had relinquished the disputed land to the community.”
To set the record straight, the Army stated unequivocally that “the Nigerian Army land at Ekehuan was lawfully acquired and surveyed in 1966 and subsequently issued Certificate of Occupancy No. 11751 (Statutory Right of Occupancy) on 26 April 1994, under the laws of Edo State.”
Reaffirming its resolve to protect national assets and public safety, the Brigade concluded by stating that it “remains committed to its constitutional mandate of ensuring peace, safety, and security in Edo State” and will not be deterred by “acts of blackmail or misinformation propagated by individuals with selfish interests.”