The people of Amagba Adolor community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to the state government and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to help prevent imminent communal crisis over land dispute in the locality.
DAILY POST reports that the people made the call during a protest march to the Edo State Government House and the Palace of the Oba of Benin on Tuesday in Benin City.
The community alleged that their ancestral land have been taken over from them by Okoroma people who they called ‘strangers’.
The protesters, led by the Odionwere (the most senior man) of the community, Pa Joseph Iduoyekemwen, expressed displeasure over the illegal occupation of Emokpae Camp by the Okoroma people.
Iduoyekemwen alleged that the Emopkae camp was now renamed Okoroma community by the people who he alleged are settlers.
He said the camp belonged to
Amagba Adolor and not to the Okoroma people who he alleged are now claiming ownership of the land.
He warned that the continued claiming of the land by the Okoroma settlers could disrupt peace in the once quiet and united Amagba Adolor community.
The Odionwere opined that the Benin traditional council does not recognize Okoroma as a community, alleging that it was only a camp within Amagba Adolor.
Also speaking, Mr Monday Osasu who corroborated the Odionwere’s explanations, added that Okoroma settlers were never original landowners but were welcomed into the community as tenants.
Osasu, who is the youth leader of Amagba Adolor, appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Oba Ewuare II to intervene and prevent potential violence stemming from the land dispute
The youth leader, who acknowledged the governor’s efforts in urging peace, opined that only the Oba’s decisive action could end the lingering land crisis.
“Oba should clearly define the boundary between the two communities. That would ensure lasting peace and unity.
“Okoroma people are settlers. They are violent land grabbers using armed thugs to forcefully eject Amagba residents,”; he alleged.
Addressing the protesters at the Oba of Benin’s palace, Chief Isaac Oyeoba commended them for their peaceful demonstration.
Oyeoba assured them that their grievances would be relayed to the Oba of Benin, who would listen and address their concerns.
