Edo community, Army bicker over demolition of houses

Residents of Oghede Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have staged a peaceful protest accusing the Nigerian Army, Ekenwan Barracks, of demolishing over 100 houses in the community.

But the Nigerian Army spokesperson in Benin, Capt. Yemi Sokoya, has denied the allegation, saying the land belongs to the army.

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The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as “government help us from the hands of Nigerian Army’’, “Destroying our building is an abomination in Edo land’’, “Please leave us in peace’’, among others.

Addressing journalists, the leader of the protesters, Chief Felix Aghahowa, said the land rightfully belongs to them and that they have valid documents to show that they were living in the community before the army barracks in Ekenwan was built.

He alleged that the army has taken over their land, chasing people out of their houses, adding that they could no longer go to their farms.

“We can no longer sleep with two eyes closed as a result of army invasion into the community. Many of us are rendered homeless”.

He called on the Edo State government, the federal government and other relevant authorities to come to rescue them from the hands of the army.

Responding, the spokesperson, 4th Brigade, Nigerian Army – Benin City, Yemi Sokoya, denied the allegation.

“The land in question is army land, but the community keeps selling the land to civilians and building on the land even after several warnings. The army took them to court and the court ordered that nobody should continue work on the land pending the determination of the matter”.

He said instead of allowing the court to do its work, they are encroaching deep into barracks and rushing to the media with lies.

“It is not by protesting or rushing to the media branding the army as a wicked organisation but allowing the Court to do its job. We are waiting patiently for the verdict,” he said.