• As army allegedly run riots, pulls down erected buildings claiming ownership
••• We own the land legally which was officially given to us in 1966 – Nigerian Army
From our news desk, Benin
The people of Iyanomo village have cried out for the intervention of the Edo State Government, and the Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II in the lingering land dispute between them and the Nigerian army.
Iyanomo Village is located off the Upper Ekewan road in Benin, Ovia-North-East Local Government Council Area of Edo State.
The people during the weekend in their cry, told journalists that it has been tales of woes in the hand of their tormentors: the Nigerian army who allegedly claim ownership of their ancestral home and farm lands.
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According to the second ranking elder, Pa Agbonavbare Ohiengbomwan and the youth leader, Iyayi Eboigbe, the army allegedly claims that the entire land space covering several villages in the area, was given to them by the Benin Monarch many years ago.
Since the scourge began years ago, they have known no peace; as the army without prior notice would invade the village and indiscriminately pull down already erected buildings. “In fact, they run riots untamed!”
This, the army repeated recently making a lot of people homeless and frustrated. Yet nobody dares them for obvious reasons.
“They without notice invade our village, demolish erected buildings and seize our farm lands which they have now given to herdsmen from a particular northern tribe of the country, to make their home even though they pose security threats.
“These herdsmen in turn take their herds of cows to graze on our farms thus increasing our woes, and now we are handicap and frustrated.
“Most times, the army would dig deep pits across the access road to our Village in efforts to stop us from entering.”
Consequently, on Monday, 23 June, 2025 they did a peaceful protest to the Government House, and the State House of Assembly, ending it at the Palace of HRM Oba Ewuare II.
At the Palace of the Oba, they were received by the Chiefs who after listening to their grievances and pain as presented, assured of a speedy attention of the Monarch.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, through the 4 Brigade Headquarters in Benin City, have issued a stern warning to the protesters to vacate the land it says legally belongs to them.
It maintained that they owned the entire disputed land space; which was given to them by a past Oba of the Benin Kingdom.
On Saturday, 21 June, 2025, in Abuja the army reacted through its Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel (Mrs.) Onyechi Appolonia Anele.
In a statement, the army said the land at Ekehuan was officially acquired in 1966 and covered by a Certificate of Occupancy issued in 1994.
As it accused local leaders, especially the Enogie of the area, Osazebare Aghahowa, of encouraging illegal encroachment and selling military land to unsuspecting private developers.
Some of the structures by these developers were dangerously located within zones used for live ammunition training.
It also alleged that the Enogie forged a document falsely suggesting the Army had relinquished the land to the community.
“If the encroachment continued, the Army would not hesitate to demolish all illegal structures and enforce full control over its property“, the statement warned.
In the face of the prevailing situation, Iyanomo people lament what they termed: ‘unholy occupation of their ancestral home land’ by the Nigerian army and consequently seeks protection from all the relevant authorities particularly; the revered Benin Throne.
Even as the Army insists; it is acting within the law and will not tolerate what it views as blackmail and misinformation.
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