The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured residents of Ulegun community in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area of the state that the government will look into the allegation of demolition of over 80 houses in the community.
Representative of Edo State Governor and Chief of Staff, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, gave the assurance while addressing protesters from the Ulegun Community at the Government House, in Benin City, on Monday.
The governor appealed for calm among the protesters over the demolition of their properties, hailing them for conducting themselves peacefully.
“We are happy that despite the destruction of your houses and the pain you are going through, you embarked on a peaceful protest rather than embarking on self-help. I want to assure you that we will look at what happened. This is a government that listens to the people and cares about its citizens, and we will do all to ensure peace, unity and security in the state,” the governor noted.
He urged the protesters not to take laws into their hands, assuring, “We promise to step into the issue. We will also look at why the Enogie was arrested and ensure that peace is maintained in the state.”
Obaseki charged the secretary of the community to bring to the government a letter and related documents that will aid proper resolutions of the conflict.
Earlier, the Secretary of Ulegun Community, Peter Aigbe, said the dispute has been resolved in court previously but the injunction has been undermined with the action.
He pleaded with the governor to step in and assist affected members of the community to seek justice.
Another member of the community and mother of the detained Enogie of Ulegun, Rose Omoregie, said that there had not been infighting in the community until the land dispute and appealed to the state government to help expedite the release of her son.
According to her, “Ulegun community is known for peace. I appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki to help release my son, the Enogie, because he has not committed any crime.”
Other developers whose properties were demolished called on the state government to come to their aid, noting that the lands were bought legally hence they should not bear the brunt of the resultant damages.
