The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the State Government to formally engage the Federal Government and the Nigerian military hierarchy over the long-standing land dispute between Apunren Ijebu communities and officers of the Nigerian Army’s Sappers Barracks, Ilese.

The resolution followed the presentation of a report by the Committee of the Whole House, laid before lawmakers by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

In its recommendations, the Assembly called for urgent intergovernmental intervention, including the provision of an alternative shooting range for the military, in light of recent developments and allegations of encroachment on community lands in Apunren Ijebu and adjoining areas.

According to the report, the dispute—between the Nigerian Army and the communities of Apunren Ijebu and Ijebu Mushin in Ijebu East Local Government Area—has lingered for nearly 50 years. The spokesperson for the affected communities, retired Major General Odunsi Samson, the Jagunmolu of Ijebu Imusin, traced the conflict to a 1977 military decree that led to the establishment of barracks across several states.

He explained that the land in question spans sixteen communities with a history of peaceful coexistence lasting over six centuries, complete with established schools, churches, mosques, hospitals, markets, and other social institutions.

The Assembly noted that the crisis escalated due to the failure to properly document and gazette a previous decision that reportedly reduced the land allocated to the military from 1,820 acres to one-tenth of that size. Lawmakers cited allegations that military officers had embarked on widespread occupation of host communities, including the demolition of houses, encroachment on farmlands, and the destruction of cultural, religious, and historical sites.

Further observations revealed fresh land markings indicating possible additional demolitions, despite the presence of boundary pillars demarcating the originally acquired military land in some areas.

Consequently, the House urged the State Government to engage senior military authorities to review earlier panel decisions and implement safeguards to prevent further encroachment into the affected communities.

The resolution, moved by the Deputy Speaker and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, was unanimously adopted. The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to transmit the report and its recommendations to the Governor, relevant Federal Ministries, the leadership of the National Assembly, and heads of security agencies—particularly the Nigerian Army—for immediate and necessary action.