Recently, the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development served two indigenes of Agbede, a community situated in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, a 7 days’ demolition notice for allegedly encroaching on the land belonging to a community school, Momodu College.
Your soar-away PopularNews took a trip to the community to ask some questions from the people affected and some other personalities about what is really happening.
Hajia Aminetu Momodu (Woman leader of APC in Etsako West)
I was surprised to come and see the demolition notice placed on my wall by the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development under the argument that I encroached on the land of Momodu College here in Agbede. This is the second time they will be doing this (giving me demolition notice). This time the message that accompanied the threat is that I should stop supporting Mallam Gani Audu and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. I have told them that nobody can force me into doing what is against my wish. Moreover, I cannot betray my kinsman for anything. And come to think of it, I am not encroaching on Momodu College land. Yes, I share a common boundary with them. The community actually donated the land on which the school was built.
Jamiu Momoh (Organising Secretary Momodu College Alumni Association)
Not long ago, Abdurazak Momoh(aka Star Black) wanted to know why I have been so elated since the emergence of Mallam Gani Audu as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election in the state. I answered him in the affirmative that yes, I am elated with his emergence been that he is my bosom friend and kinsman. His argument was that when he was council chairman, Gani never did any meaningful project in the community but I countered him by telling him the things that Gani did to impact positively on the people with a promise that I will continue to support Gani at any given opportunity. I legally acquired this land from the land allotment committee of the palace of Agbede and I have a document to back up my claim.
Prince Abdulateef Momodu (Secretary of the Council of Chiefs in Agbede)
The state government should have gotten in contact with the palace to get the true detail of how Jamiu Mohammed acquired the land on which he is erecting his house. Jamiu is not encroaching on the plot of land belonging to Momodu College. He properly acquired the plot of land. I was actually the one that signed the document authenticating his ownership of the land. I am an alumni of the school and I know the perimeter fencing of the school land.
Prince Abdullahi Mohammed (Chairman Royalty Committee)
The matter has not been officially reported to the palace. All documents supporting any claim to land ownership issued during the reign of the late monarch of Agbede are still legal tenders. We are a peaceful community and this issue of demolition of people’s property is alien to us. What appears to be holding us back is that since two years ago that we lost our monarch we don’t have another. We will get to the root of whoever is behind all these.
