Residents of ten communities near the Odogbo Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan have raised concerns over their safety following an army shooting exercise that resulted in stray bullets hitting a woman and damaging at least 15 houses.
In response to the incident, the affected residents have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and persuade the military to relocate the shooting range to a more secure location.
The communities impacted include Omilabu Zones 1, 2, and 3, Omilabu Mainstream, Oluseyi, Idi-Omo, Anilelerin, Dominion Estate, Ajobo, and neighboring areas.
A statement issued by community representatives—Prince Ijeru, Mr. Adekunle Taiwo, Mrs. Odekunle, Mr. Qozeem Alayo, Mr. Abdurauf, and Iya Eleedu—highlighted their long-standing concerns. They revealed that despite calling on the federal government since 2017 to address the issue, no action had been taken.
Unlike previous military drills where residents were notified beforehand, they claimed this latest exercise commenced without prior warning.
“The shooting began on Monday, March 17, 2025, without any prior notice as was done in the past,” the statement read.
“Two days into the training, a woman was struck by a stray bullet while at her shop and was immediately taken to the Military Hospital within the barracks.”
The statement further disclosed that at least 15 houses had been damaged by stray bullets, placing the safety of over 5,000 residents in jeopardy.
Community leaders have urged the authorities to act swiftly to prevent further casualties and damage, emphasizing the urgent need for the shooting range to be relocated.