Oba of Benin condemns activities of Land Grabbers in Benin condemns activities of Land Grabbers in Benin

 By Osariemen Idiaghe.                   The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare ll has condemned in totality the activities of Land Grabbers in Benin City which has  reached an alarming proportion due to the incessant cases of Land grabbing that is brought to the palace on daily basis.                        The condemnation was made at a press briefing by the Benin Traditional Council at the instance of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare  II who was represented by Chief Henry Osato Bazuaye, the Aiwerioghene of Benin kingdom.                                            The public announcement became necessary to clarify the issues surrounding the recent incident at Ukhiri village in Ikpoba- Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.   "The practice of Land grabbing in Benin City and environs has reached an alarming proportion. Individuals and corporate owners of vacant land in Benin City often see their  property encroached upon and sold off by unscrupulous youths. This land grabbing is sometimes condoned by community leaders."                                         "The land Grabbers sell other people's land knowing full well that  their action is illegal. Worst still, the purchasers are also often aware they are purchasing other people's land illegally.                                               The land grabbers and illegal purchasers argue that once a structure is hurriedly erected on the illegally acquired property, the palace of the Oba of Benin forbids such property to be brought down. For this reason, the practice of grabbing and developing other people's property has reached such an unacceptable dimension. This practice must stop.                           " In Ukhiri village, the case of Land grabbing was taken to unprecedented heights. The community leader, the Enogie of Ulegun physically attacked the neighbouring community of Ukhiri and annexed their lands. The Enogie of Ulegun and his community youths then proceeded to sell off land of other people and corporate bodies located in Ukhiri including land that is known to belong to the palace."                        Chief Bazuaye said the palace is inudated with cases of Land grabbing by victims who come to seek redress. He likened the land grabbing activities to domestic terrorism and kidnapping of lawful owners of Land which could lead to communal crises. He added that several lands belonging to the palace have been taken over by land grabbers.                                   He therefore urged the state government to do more in arresting this unsovouring behavior of  grabbing of other peoples' land while leaving the victims with no form of compensation or respite as it is against the Bini culture.