Residents of 10 communities near the Odogbo Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan have raised alarm over their safety after stray bullets from the military shooting range allegedly hit a woman and damaged at least 15 houses.
The incident, which occurred during a recent military training exercise, has reignited longstanding fears among residents, who have now called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order the relocation of the shooting range to a safer location.
The affected communities include Omilabu Zones 1, 2, and 3, Omilabu Mainstream, Oluseyi, Idi-Omo, Anilelerin, Dominion Estate, Ajobo, and other adjoining areas. Residents claim they have been calling for federal intervention since 2017, but their pleas have gone unanswered.
A statement issued by community representatives—Prince Ijeru, Mr. Adekunle Taiwo, Mrs. Odekunle, Mr. Qozeem Alayo, Mr. Abdrauf, and Iya Eleedu—accused the Nigerian Army of failing to notify them about the recent training exercise, unlike previous occasions.
“We wish to state that the exercise commenced last week Monday, 17th March 2025, without any prior notice (as in the past). Two days into the exercise, a woman in her shop was hit by a stray bullet and was immediately rushed to the Military Hospital in the barracks,” the statement read.
The community leaders further lamented that bullets have penetrated at least 15 homes, endangering the lives of the estimated 5,000 residents in the area.
Residents have repeatedly argued that the proximity of the shooting range to civilian settlements makes it a constant hazard.
Previous reports of stray bullets damaging homes and posing risks to lives have sparked protests, yet no significant action has been taken by the authorities.
As tension mounts, affected residents are urging the federal government and military authorities to prioritize their safety by relocating the shooting range away from residential areas.
Efforts to reach military officials for comments on the situation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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