Senate orders halt to Apunren demolitions in Ogun State, directing Nigerian Army to pause eviction pending on-site assessment
The Senate Committee on Army has ordered an immediate suspension of demolition activities in the Apunren communities of Ogun State, directing the Nigerian Army to halt all eviction operations pending a physical inspection of the affected areas.
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The directive was issued following rising concerns over ongoing enforcement actions linked to land disputes in the communities, which have sparked tension, displacement fears and widespread public outcry.
The Nigerian Army, represented by its Chief of Logistics, Major General A.A. Adeyinka, was urged to suspend further operations affecting residents until lawmakers conduct an on-site assessment to verify claims and conditions on the ground.
The intervention comes amid weeks of escalating unrest in Apunren-Ijebu, where residents have repeatedly accused military personnel of demolitions, forced evictions and destruction of farmlands.
The crisis dates back decades, with community leaders tracing the dispute to land allocations made in 1977.
Residents of the 16 communities that make up Apunren have consistently maintained that they are ancestral landowners, rejecting claims that they are illegal occupants.
Tensions intensified earlier in January 2026 when large-scale demolitions reportedly displaced families and damaged properties, prompting emotional appeals from community leaders and traditional rulers.
During a recent visit to the area, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East Senatorial District, assured residents of legislative intervention and confirmed that the matter had been brought before the Senate for urgent review.
He also indicated that both the Army and community representatives would eventually be invited for a structured dialogue aimed at resolving the long-standing dispute.
Traditional authorities in Apunren have continued to call for restraint, warning that prolonged confrontation could deepen humanitarian and social consequences in the affected communities.
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With the Senate’s latest directive, attention has now shifted to how quickly an on-site assessment will be conducted and whether it can pave the way for a lasting resolution to the decades-old land crisis.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
