Edo State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal land occupation and the misuse of public facilities, sealing a brothel that was discovered operating within the premises of Ujuele Primary School in Esan West Local Government Area.
Eugene Okolosie, State Coordinator for the Protection of Government Property, revealed this during a press briefing in Benin City on Thursday. He also announced the recovery of over 2,000 plots of encroached government land as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reclaim public assets.
According to Okolosie, public school properties and historic landmarks such as moats have been among the worst hit by the surge in land grabbing. “Seven percent of our historic moat has been encroached upon, and many public schools have been partially or completely taken over,” he said.
A particularly disturbing case was uncovered at Ujuele Primary School, where a brothel was found operating within the school compound. The facility has since been shut down, and discussions are ongoing with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s office on how to repurpose the reclaimed structure.
Elsewhere in the state, the coordinator reported serious breaches. At Iyoba, for instance, community members reportedly divided school land and sold half to private individuals. One classroom was situated next to an active kitchen. “You can’t expect children to focus on their studies with the smell of stew filling the room,” Okolosie remarked, confirming that investigations are underway and suspects have been summoned for questioning.
The land recovery efforts have extended to Ambrose Alli University, where forged documents were allegedly used by encroachers to acquire school property. The agency, acting on a tip from the host community, has reclaimed nearly 90% of the land.
The magnitude of illegal land transactions appears to be vast. Okolosie disclosed that over 150,000 homes have been identified as being built on government land. He urged prospective land buyers to consult the Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) before acquiring any property to avoid falling prey to fraudulent land sellers.
In the last two months alone, more than 3,000 petitions have been filed by concerned communities over the unauthorized occupation of government land. The state government, bolstered by legal backing from Governor Okpebholo, has vowed to prosecute offenders.
Okolosie praised the governor for supporting the agency’s legal and operational capabilities, stating, “We are committed to reclaiming what rightfully belongs to the people and ensuring public spaces serve their intended purpose.”
