Fear and frustration gripped no fewer than 10 communities surrounding the Odogbo Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, as stray bullets from a military shooting exercise injured a woman and struck at least 15 houses, sparking renewed calls for government intervention.
The affected communities — including Omilabu Zones 1, 2, and 3; Omilabu Mainstream; Oluseyi; Idi-Omo; Anilelerin; Dominion Estate; Ajobo, and surrounding neighborhoods — have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Army to relocate the shooting range to a safer, non-residential area to prevent further casualties.
According to community representatives — Prince Ijeru, Mr. Adekunle Taiwo, Mrs. Odekunle, Mr. Qozeem Alayo, Mr. Abdrauf, and Iya Eleedu — over 5,000 residents have been living under the shadow of fear, with their repeated appeals for federal assistance dating as far back as 2017 falling on deaf ears.
Unlike previous military training exercises, where prior notice was given to residents, the latest round of live ammunition drills allegedly began without any warning on Monday, March 17, 2025. By the second day, tragedy struck when a woman was hit by a stray bullet while in her shop and had to be rushed to the Military Hospital within the barracks for urgent treatment.
The community leaders lamented: “In the past, there was always communication from the Army before any shooting exercise began. This time, nothing was said. People are living in fear in their own homes. No fewer than 15 houses have been damaged by bullets, and it could have been worse.”
They further warned that the situation has become untenable, stating that thousands of lives remain at risk every time the Army conducts shooting practice within close proximity to civilian settlements.
The residents are now urging both the federal and Oyo State governments to treat the situation as a matter of national security and public safety, insisting that continued neglect may result in greater tragedy.
