The ancient Apunren-Ijebu community in Ogun State is crying out for justice following weeks of army demolitions that have left residents traumatised and homeless. On Saturday, 11 January 2026, Senator Gbenga Daniel visited the grieving community to address the crisis linked to the Nigerian Army’s land enforcement activities in the area.
Sixteen communities that make up Apunren-Ijebu gathered in large numbers to meet the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District. Residents recounted decades of unresolved land disputes, fresh demolitions, abandoned farmlands, and deaths attributed to trauma and fear.
AdeOluwa Adenaike, Secretary-General of Apunren-Ijebu, welcomed Senator Daniel “with heavy hearts, but also with hope.” He emphasized that Apunren-Ijebu is not a recent settlement, rejecting suggestions that residents are squatters. Generations have been born, raised, and buried on this ancestral land comprising sixteen peaceful communities.
A Crisis Dating Back to 1977
Adenaike traced the crisis to 1977 when surveyors arrived without consultation and marked approximately 1,791 acres for the Nigerian Army. Over 7,000 people already lived on the land. The Baales’ council rejected the move, refused compensation, and placed a traditional curse on collaborators. No compensation or formal resettlement followed.
After community agitation, dialogue with military authorities under General T.Y. Danjuma led to an agreement restricting the Army to land needed for one regiment. Displaced families were resettled in good faith. However, the crisis resurfaced in 1989 when a government gazette allegedly claimed 13 of Apunren’s 16 communities.
A Human Tragedy
“What we are experiencing today is beyond land dispute. It is a human tragedy,” Adenaike told the senator. He accused soldiers and army-linked contractors of entering communities with weapons, digging trenches, chasing farmers, demolishing houses, and destroying a church.
Fear has become constant, with residents unable to sleep, farms abandoned, and hunger spreading. Adenaike made grave allegations regarding trauma-related deaths, citing the recent death of Baale Chief Bashola Akibu Omotoso, who reportedly died after hearing of demolitions.
“These are not stories. These are graves we can show you,” he said.
With young people fleeing and women selling whatever they can find, development has stopped while the Army’s original land remains largely unused.
Senator’s Pledge
Senator Daniel acknowledged the dispute’s long history and assured residents they would not lose their ancestral land. He confirmed presenting the community’s petition to the Senate, which directed its committee to investigate within three weeks.
“I can assure you that issues pertaining to soldiers are not easy to tackle. However, now that our own son, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is President, the issue will be finally resolved,” Daniel said.
He promised efforts to engage the Nigerian Army and halt demolitions pending legislative resolution. The Senate will summon both parties for dialogue after resuming on 27 January 2026.
Appeal for Calm
The Alapunren of Apunren, Oba Jimoh Oyelaja, appealed to residents to remain calm. “Now that you’ve heard from the horse’s mouth, I appeal to you to calm down. Stop committing suicide because of your properties being destroyed by the army,” he said.
The monarch expressed confidence in Senator Daniel’s commitment and gratitude for his visit despite short notice.
As the gathering dispersed, hope and uncertainty remained. For Apunren-Ijebu residents, the visit marked another chapter in a nearly five-decade struggle, with faith placed in dialogue, law, and political will to bring relief to their weary land.
