Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
By Eben Enasco
Citizens in Edo State are facing a resurgence of severe land grabbing crisis where owners of valuable land property are being harassed, extorted and physically attacked by some individuals and groups, in the guise of proscribed Community Development Authority, CDA.
Such illegal acts by these CDAs have left many citizens displaced and uncertain about their future.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have become worried and vocal that if nothing is done to tame their menace it could bring huge setbacks to vulnerable communities.
At a gathering in Benin City on Monday, where they issued a communique on land grabbing and the influence of CDAs, the group led by Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to enforce the State Private Property Protection (PPP) law enacted in 2016 to regulate land use and protect citizens’ rights.
Comrade Ogbidi argued that the PPP law provides a framework for transparent and accountable land management, a law that has not been implemented effectively by the government of Monday Okpebholo.
Ogbidi added that the new ill waves of CDAs affairs in Edo Communities have devastated families, prompting them to seek government stance on land grabbing and demand that necessary moves are taken to end all forms of land grabbing in the state.
He further highlighted some of their recommendations including, setting up a task force, increasing awareness of the PPP law, prosecuting perpetuators, checkmating the high handedness of the CDAs, and reinvigorating the law to create confidence on potential investors in the state.
He cited a recent attack on Comrade Kelly Osunbor in his already living apartment in the Amagba community, where some suspected thugs invaded his home demanding a ransom of N500,000 thousand naira for attempting to rework his security building in his compound.
On his part the victim of the recent attack, Comrade Kelly Osunbor, and Marxist Kola Edokpayi lamented the ordeal. Osunbor stated that even as an activist, he was rudely confronted, embarrassed as the restive thugs stormed his window glasses and badly damaged them on August 4, 2025.
He said he has since lodged his complaint against the prime suspect, Peter Erhinmwinose, popularly addressed as Ebo Amagba and others over an attempt of kidnapping, assault, damage to Property, threat to life and intimidation at the Edo State Police Headquarters, Benin City.
The CSOs claimed that the governor’s inability to enforce the PPP laws has emboldened land grabbers, who are exploiting loopholes in the system to acquire land illegally.
Hundreds of landowners and residents like Comrade Kelly Osunbor who cut across the Edo South have been forced to face similar ill actions from the CDAs operators despite their proscription.
As the crisis deepens, the people of Edo State are waiting with bated breath to see how Governor Monday Okpebholo with zero tolerance to unlawful conduct from individuals or groups will take decisive action to enforce the PPP law and restore order to the land market or allow the land grabbing crisis to continue unabated.
