Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide acting on its belief of preserving Benin culture and tradition, was on Friday, May 21st, 2021, at Ogiso Street, Benin in Oredo Local Goverment and Obazuwa Town in Ovia North East Local Government of Edo State, to install signboards warning those that are encroaching on the Oba of Benin’s Palace land in the communities to quit or face dire consequences.
Addressing journalists in Ogiso Street, Elder Curtis Ugbo, President of the Benin Solidarity Movement, who led the team said: “This is actually the second time that we are coming here on the instruction of our royal father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare11.
“It came to our knowledge that the piece of land measuring 1000 by 1000 on Ogiso Street which belongs to the Omo N’Oba, has been encroached upon by land grabbers.
“We are calling on the land grabbers and those that bought land from them to report to the Oba of Benin’s Palace immediately before further action is taken.”
On why people refused to comply despite an earlier warning, Elder Ugbo said: “I am sure that the landgrabbers, who sold the piece of land to them, must have emboldened them, to carry on with what they’re doing.
“Once more, we are using this medium to tell them that the next time we come here it will not be a child’s play.
“If you’re in doubt call the phone number that is displayed on the notice board to make enquiries from Mr. Frank Irabor, the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council.”
While speaking in Obazuwa, Elder Ugbo warned the landgrabbers in that part of the state who hide under ethnic colouration to henceforth be careful of their actions as the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
Also, speaking Barrister Dennis Osaretin, a member of the legal team of the Benin monarch said: “This plot of land(on Ogiso Street) belongs to the Oba of Benin. All landgrabbers and their likes are by this notice reminded to come to the Palace of the Oba of Benin to verify their documentation failing which we will set in motion various legal remedies to be exploited to regain all the properties belonging to the Omo N’Oba in this community.”
