Five communities in Badagry, Lagos, yesterday protested on the premises of the local government secretariat over alleged encroachment on their land by the Nigerian Army.
The communities told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry that they resorted to protest to draw the attention of the state and federal governments to their plight.
The communities are Apanuko, Alafia Whalatokomeh, Agblimakaku, Whawu and Jijoho, all along Samuel Ekundayo Road in Badagry, Lagos.
Chief Viavoh Mobee, the Baale of Apanuko said the communities had earlier sent protest letters to Defence Headquarters, Abuja, House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly on the issue.
NAN reports that the communities had also protested on March 6 at the Palace of Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1.
The Akran assured them that the matter would be settled amicably by the authorities involved.
At the Badagry Local Government, Chief Viavoh Mobee, the Baale of Apanuko told the council Chairman, Mr Olusegun Onilude that the communities thought the issue over the land was resolved in 2012.
According to Mobee, in 2012, the Nigerian Army released the said land to about seven communities in Badagry and it was documented in July 15, 2015 that the land belonged to the communities.
“We are worried when the Nigerian Army returned in 2022 and began perimeter fencing of the land in five out of the seven communities.”
Efforts to get comment on the issue from the Defence Headquarters and Col. M.A. Abba, Commanding Officer, Nigeria Army 243 Reconnaissance Battalion, also known as 243 Recce Battalion, Ibereko, Badagry, failed.
An officer, who preferred anonymity, said the Nigerian Army had gazette of all its landed property in the country.
He said that most protesters knew that they built their houses on military land.
He said that the Army had settled most of the landowners a long time ago but because the land was not fenced, some people sold the land to other people.
