The Edo State government on Wednesday said it was discovered that the sum of N1.5bn was paid to land grabbers in the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe area between 2020 and 2022 by unsuspecting members of the public.
It reiterated its resolve to put an end to the illegal act by retrieving the money for the restitution of the 499 victims that had been identified by the verification committee.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who stated this during a press briefing in Benin, called on prospective property owners in the state to do due diligence before embarking on the development of their property.
Nehikhare, who decried the activities of land grabbers in the state, said the government was worried that such a huge amount of money would be in the hands of unscrupulous individuals, stressing that those already arrested and those still on the run would be charged to court.
He said, “Edo State government is determined to sanitise the administration of land in the state. Following the recovery of government land in the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis, it was discovered that N1.5bn was collected by land grabbers from the 499 victims that have come forward to complain in the last two years.
“The state government is determined to retrieve the money from the suspects and restitute the victims. So far, we have arrested 10 of the land grabbers and they will soon be charged to court.
“The government is also appealing to Edo people to do due diligence on any property before development. This includes finding out if such land is encumbered and registering their plans with the appropriate authorities. We also appreciate the support so far received from the Edo people.”
According to him, the administration of land exercise would be extended to all parts of the state.
Nehikhare also called on property owners along the First and Second Ugbor axis, who have converted their residential houses to shopping complexes thereby encroaching on the roads, to retrace their steps and revert to their fence setbacks.
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