Residents of ten communities near the Odogbo Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan have raised fresh concerns over their safety after stray bullets from a military shooting exercise injured a woman and damaged at least 15 houses.
Following the incident, the affected residents are calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and relocate the shooting range to a more secure location to prevent further harm.
The impacted communities include Omilabu Zones 1, 2, and 3, Omilabu Mainstream, Oluseyi, Idi-Omo, Anilelerin, Dominion Estate, Ajobo, and other nearby areas.
In a statement, representatives of the affected communities—including Prince Ijeru, Mr. Adekunle Taiwo, Mrs. Odekunle, Mr. Qozeem Alayo, Mr. Abdurauf, and Iya Eleedu—expressed frustration over the recurring issue.
According to them, they have been appealing to the federal government since 2017 for intervention, but their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
They also noted that, unlike previous military exercises where residents were notified in advance, the latest shooting drills commenced without any prior warning.
“The training exercise began on Monday, March 17, 2025, without prior notice, unlike previous occasions,” the statement read.
“Within two days, a stray bullet struck a woman in her shop, and she had to be rushed to the Military Hospital inside the barracks for treatment.”
The community leaders further disclosed that more than 15 houses had been hit by bullets, leaving thousands of residents in fear for their safety.
They have urged the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
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