The Edo State Government has commenced the process of returning 2,950 plots of land to 1,550 victims affected by the 2022 land demolition at Oke-Oroma Community, Benin City, bringing closure to a long-standing property dispute.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Yakubu Musa, disclosed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Benin City, stating that the initiative followed the approval of Governor Monday Okpebholo to restore seized lands to their rightful owners.
According to Musa, the exercise marks the end of the prolonged conflict arising from the September 21, 2022 demolition, carried out under the previous administration, which displaced hundreds of property owners and developers in the community.
He explained that the Ministry had begun issuing allocation letters to verified beneficiaries after conducting a one-week authentication exercise to confirm genuine landowners.
“Based on the approval of Governor Okpebholo, the Ministry commenced a verification process to authenticate true owners of the land. We have about 1,550 beneficiaries who will receive allocation letters covering 2,950 plots,” Musa said.
He added that surveyors have already begun demarcation of the plots, while bulldozers are clearing the land to ensure physical handover to beneficiaries in the coming days.
Musa described the intervention as a demonstration of governance with compassion, noting that the governor had fulfilled a key campaign promise to restore lands unlawfully seized from residents.
“Governor Okpebholo has restored hope to the people of Oke-Oroma Community. Many believed they had lost everything, but today, justice is being served,” he stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Adebayo Benjamin Ogenelkhemeh, described the governor as a “promise keeper,” saying the return of his land had revived his confidence in government.
“I had completely lost hope after the demolition. Today, I have received my allocation letter. Governor Okpebholo has truly restored our hope,” he said.
Another victim, Onose Onyegbulem, thanked the state government for keeping its word, while Efe Kennedy Ewemade recalled that the 2022 demolition led to arrests, protests, and loss of investments within the community.
The land dispute had previously triggered political tensions in the state, with opposition parties accusing the former administration of using urban development policies to dispossess legitimate landowners.
The Edo State Government said the ongoing restitution process is aimed at ensuring justice, transparency, and responsible land administration, while preventing future land-grabbing and illegal demolitions.
