Ministry of Defence to Review Oyo Community’s Land Offer for Military Cantonment

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, has received a formal proposal from the Oyo Alafin Society for the establishment of a military cantonment in Oyo State. The delegation, which visited the Ministry on Monday in Abuja, conveyed the mandate of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Alayeluwa Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo. Chief Information Officer Queenet Iheoma-Hart disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Speaking during the visit, the group said the Oyo community had 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 construction of the facility. The proposed cantonment is expected to enhance the presence of the Armed Forces and serve as a strategic response to banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. The delegation noted that the location is suitable for a modern cantonment capable of accommodating the Nigerian Army, operational units of the Nigerian Air Force, military training schools, healthcare facilities, residential quarters, commercial centres, and other strategic security installations.

Describing the visit as timely and the initiative as noble, 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. Mr. Pheelangwah also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with community stakeholders to strengthen national security.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Engr. Kolawole Raji, commended the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Ministry for their commitment to safeguarding lives and property nationwide. Engr. Raji disclosed that community leaders and stakeholders of the Oyo Alaafin had earmarked the land for a major military formation and pledged to collaborate with the Armed Forces by providing all lawful and necessary community support to facilitate the successful execution of the project.

His Imperial Majesty, who was unavoidably absent, sent a goodwill message via recorded video to the Minister and Ministry officials, expressing optimism for a favourable federal response. Similar goodwill messages were delivered via video by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, representing Oyo Central, and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, representing Oyo Federal Constituency. Mr. Pheelangwah noted that the Ministry would follow due process in reviewing the proposal.

Directors of the Ministry were present at the event, which concluded with assurances from both parties of continued dialogue. Iheoma-Hart confirmed in the statement that the Ministry views the initiative as a significant step toward deepening military-community collaboration in tackling insecurity in the South-West region.