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Tension eases in Ogun State as the Apunren community commends Senator Gbenga Daniel’s intervention in a decades-long land dispute with the Nigerian Army, with mediation nearing resolution

Relief in Ogun as Apunren Community Praises Gbenga Daniel, Army Halts Demolitions

Relief is finally in sight for residents of Apunren and surrounding communities in Ogun State as a decades-long land dispute with the Nigerian Army inches toward resolution following high-level intervention by Gbenga Daniel.

For nearly five decades, the crisis has cast a shadow over the community near the Army’s Sappers Barracks in Ijebu Ode, with residents living under constant threat of eviction over allegations of land encroachment. The dispute escalated earlier this year when multiple communities—about 16 in total—faced demolition notices, sparking fear, displacement and widespread anxiety among families.

Now, after months of legislative engagement led by Senator Daniel, mediation efforts initiated by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions have brought both parties to the negotiating table, significantly de-escalating tensions and halting further demolitions.

Community leaders have openly expressed gratitude, describing the intervention as a turning point in a crisis that once threatened their very existence. “We thank God and we thank the Nigerian Army for their show of understanding,” a community representative said, adding, “We are especially grateful to the Senate Committee and our own senator, His Excellency Engr Gbenga Daniel, for standing with us.”

The mediation meeting, attended by military representatives including the Chief of Logistics, Major General A.A. Adeyinka, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, signalled a willingness on both sides to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation. Residents say the shift has restored hope across the affected settlements, many of which had already suffered partial demolitions.

At the peak of the crisis, villagers warned that mass displacement would disrupt children’s education, destroy livelihoods and potentially trigger a spike in crime. Entire households faced uncertainty, with some structures already reduced to rubble before intervention efforts gained traction.

Senator Daniel’s role has been widely acknowledged as pivotal, with stakeholders crediting his legislative push for forcing urgent attention to the matter at the federal level. “This intervention has brought us back from the brink,” another resident said. “Without it, many of us would have nowhere to go.”

The Senate Committee has now pledged to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of Apunren and neighboring communities, a move expected to further strengthen the peace process. At the same time, the Nigerian Army has been urged to suspend any remaining demolition activities pending the outcome of negotiations.

The committee is set to visit Apunren next week, a trip being facilitated by Gbenga Daniel—a move that underscores his unwavering resolve and sustained commitment to securing a lasting and final resolution to the long-running dispute

With dialogue ongoing and tensions easing, what was once a looming humanitarian crisis now appears close to a peaceful resolution, offering a rare moment of relief for communities that have endured decades of uncertainty.