Nigerian Army Raises Alarm Over Land Sales Near Live Firing Zones in Benin
The 4 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Benin has issued a strong warning to land speculators, estate developers, and certain community leaders over what it describes as illegal encroachment on its legally acquired land around the Ekehuan Military Cantonment in Edo State.
In a statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the Brigade accused some residents and leaders of Oghede and Iyanomo communities in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of persistently trespassing and selling portions of the Army’s land, despite a long-standing legal resolution and ongoing peace efforts.
Central to the controversy is His Royal Highness, King Osazebare Aghahowa, the Enogie (traditional ruler) of the area, who the Army alleges is at the forefront of the land grabbing.
According to the statement, the monarch has continued to promote the sale of Army land to hoteliers, private developers, and individuals — even in zones marked for military live-firing exercises, posing significant risks to public safety.
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“This blatant disregard for lawful agreements has compelled the Brigade to consider taking decisive actions, including the demolition of illegal structures on military land within the Ekehuan Cantonment,” the Army said.
The military explained that despite its goodwill and commitment to peaceful conflict resolution including an out-of-court settlement offer after community-led litigation and the agreement has been repeatedly violated by the local leadership.
The Army further accused the Enogie of forging official documents in a bid to deceive unsuspecting buyers, falsely claiming that the military had relinquished ownership of the disputed land.
For clarity, the Army emphasized that the Ekehuan land was legally acquired in 1966 and backed by a Certificate of Occupancy No. 11751, issued on April 26, 1994, by the Edo State Government.
“The Nigerian Army will not be deterred by acts of blackmail or misinformation being propagated by individuals with selfish interests,” the Brigade declared.
The statement also highlighted the potential danger posed to civilians if structures continue to spring up in restricted military zones. The Brigade warned that further encroachment would not be tolerated, reiterating its commitment to maintaining peace and security in Edo State.
By PRNigeria
