Oyo Community Offers Land for Military Cantonment to Combat Banditry

THE Ministry of Defence has received a formal proposal from the Oyo Alaafin community for the establishment of a major military cantonment in Oyo State, in a bid to bolster security across the region.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, met with a delegation from the Oyo Alaafin Society in Abuja on Monday, who conveyed the mandate of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.

The community has resolved to make available a vast expanse of land bordering the Old Oyo National Park, near Otefon Town in Atiba Local Government Area, for the project.

The delegation explained that the proposed facility is intended to enhance the presence of the Armed Forces and serve as a strategic response to rampant banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities plaguing the state and its environs.

Engr. Kolawole Raji, Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, described the earmarked site as suitable for a modern cantonment.

He outlined plans for it to accommodate Nigerian Army formations, operational units of the Nigerian Air Force, training schools, healthcare facilities, and residential quarters.

Describing the initiative as “noble” and “timely,” Mr Pheelangwah thanked the delegation and assured them that the Ministry would give the proposal due consideration.

He noted that a positive response would require the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding following due process.

The Oyo Alaafin community pledged to provide all lawful support to facilitate the project’s execution.

Although unavoidably absent, the Alaafin of Oyo sent a goodwill message via video, expressing optimism for a favourable federal response.