Ochima community residents protest explosive device discovery in farms, protest Army shooting drills
Residents of Ochima community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, recently staged a peaceful protest following the discovery of a live explosive (bomb) on their farmland.
This is the second such incident in two years, heightening fear among the residents who blame ongoing military shooting exercises by the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, Enugu, for the danger posed to their community.
The protesters carried placards demanding the Nigerian Army leave their land and called on the government to intervene to ensure their safety.
They alleged that the military’s shooting range is dangerously close to their farmland, causing trauma, property damage, injuries, and even death from stray bullets and explosives.
The President General of Ochima Town Union noted the community can no longer live peacefully or carry out daily activities such as farming or fetching water due to the military activities.
The live bomb was reported to the police and neutralized by the Police Anti-Bomb Squad on May 10, 2025.
The community has previously protested and filed a legal suit against the military over land encroachment, a case still pending in court.
The traditional ruler and community leaders have condemned the military’s actions, which include planting beacons on their ancestral land without consultation, and have appealed for calm while seeking justice through the courts.
The peaceful protests in Ochima are a response to ongoing series of atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army in their commity.
The community is expressing concerns regarding their safety, citing previous incidents where munitions from military exercises have resulted in injuries, fatalities, and property damage.
They noted that a resident, Gloria, was fatally shot in February 2022 during military activities.
The community members carried placards bearing messages such as “Nigerian Army should leave Ochima community alone”, “Nigerian Army are killing our people with spraying of bullets/bombs/missiles”, and “Government should rescue Ochima community from Nigerian Army”.
