The indigenous people of Ejiyan-Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have claimed ownership of the land for the 148 Nigerian Army barracks, which was previously sited in Ipoti-Ekiti in the council area.
The community was reacting to the recent decision by army authorities to relocate the project site from Ipoti-Ekiti to Ikere-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikere Local Government Area.
They insisted that the army barracks was established in Ipoti-Ekiti in 2013, prior to the granting of autonomy to the Ejiyan-Ekiti community.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Ejiyan-Ekiti Development Council, Chief Adepoju Ajibare, and the Secretary, Dele Borishade, the community revealed that all family members whose lands were initially acquired for the project were of Ejiyan-Ekiti descent.
While condemning the relocation of the army barracks to Ikere-Ekiti, the people appealed to the army authorities and the government at all levels to recognise them as the original landowners and ensure that any compensations in any form are directed to them.
The statement reads:
“That the military barracks that was approved, sited, and referred to as the Nigerian Army Barracks, Ipoti-Ekiti, was established in 2013, prior to the granting of autonomy to the Ejiyan-Ekiti community.
“That all the families who are the indigenous landowners of the location of the military barracks are of Ejiyan-Ekiti descent. The entire land, therefore, belongs to the Ejiyan-Ekiti community.
“That about 75% of the compensation for the destruction of the economic trees and other valuables on the land, which should have been paid over 10 years ago, still remains outstanding and should be paid to the concerned families without further delay to lessen their anguish.
“Indeed, we condemn in its entirety the relocation of the 148 Nigerian Army Barracks, Ipoti-Ekiti, to Ikere-Ekiti, as we are unable to rationalise the decision.
“We, therefore, appeal that whatever the final decision or remedial action on the location of this project, whether it involves retaining the military barracks or replacing it with another institution, the now autonomous community of Ejiyan-Ekiti should be recognised as the traditional owner of the location.”
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