By Dedeigbo Ayodeji
Despite The Incessant Killings, The Nigeria Army set to relocate to their old site in Epe, area of Lagos State Southwest Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff, lieutenant General T.Y Buratai made this declaration in the grand breaking opening ceremony at the old site, Epe.
“Some part of the Nigeria Army, in Yaba Military Cantonment will be relocated to the site.
“The financial department of the Nigeria Army will also be relocated here in the site.
“The engineering department of the Nigeria Army will also be relocated here.
“Army Command Secondary School in Yaba, will also be relocated, Buratai said.
The Corps Commander, Major General J.S. Malu while giving his welcoming address gave a brief history of the Nigerian Army.
“In 1970, the Nigeria Army acquired a parcel of land in Epe measuring 29.045 hectares.
“The acquisition was subsequently gazette in July of the same year.
In 1975, additional acreage had been acquired which brought the total Nigeria Army land area in Epe to 440 hectares .
The restructuring of the Nigeria Army in 1990 resulted in the merging of some unit, and abandonment of some units, and abandonment of some barracks, Epe became one such abandoned Barracks.
“The Lagos State Government having observed reduced military activity at Epe , requested to use the barracks as a satellite Campus of the Lagos State University .
“The request was subsequently granted.
“Thus, the Nigeria Army ceded the developed area measuring 48.8 hectares to Lagos State Government, while the remaining 39.2 hectares remained Nigeria Army property.
Unfortunately, over the years the lack of military presence on the land grabbed the opportunity to encroach on the property.
“Although, there are numbers of dilapidated structures on the property, a recent reconnaissance by the Directorate of Army Real Estate (DARE) revealed that the remaining undeveloped area has greatly reduced due to incessant activities of these devious persons.
“The Nigeria Army has therefore in recent years nursed the idea of developing undeveloped activities in support of National security”. Malu said.
