The community on a protest march to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre in Benin City Edo State, yesterday decried what it termed wanton destruction of their houses and farmland by the Nigerian Army.
The protester who came with different inscriptions such as: “Nigerian Army stop destroying our homes and farmlands,” “Stop Army oppression”, Army wants to kill us.” etc said the Army should leave them alone.
Speaking, Felix Aghawowa, an elder in the community said the Army came into the land in 1965, during the reign of Oba Akenzua 11 and the Federal Government negotiated with the Oba, and the Oba, in turn, called the dukes that contributed the land.
“Army came into the land in 1965, during the reign of Oba Akenzua and the Federal Government negotiated with the Oba and the Oba in turn called the dukes that contributed the land.
After the acquisition, the Federal Agriculture took stock of all the crops and compensated the villagers, My father, who was the Enogie of Oghede then, asked them to use barbed wire to demarcate their land, but later they started coming Into our community land. During the reign of Oba Erediawa, the Army started cutting the barbed wire. My brother, who was the Enogie then took them to the Oba palace, but the Army did not abide by the agreement reached then. The Army said there was a second acquisition, but the Oba toldthem then that there was no second acquisition, apart from the one earlier done.
“Today, the Army is saying that the community should be restricted to 200 feet. They have used caterpillars to destroy our houses. We have taken them to court, but they have not produced the documents for the second acquisition they are talking about. We want the government to step in and help us.”
Also speaking the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugholor said his elder brother, who lives in the USA, lost his wife, and they brought the corpse to Nigeria for burial, the brother bought a plot of land there and did the necessary documents, but after the burial, the Army went and brought down the tomb.
Reacting, the PRO 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Capt Yemi Shokaya said
It is not true, but decried that people go to fight their battle in the media instead of facing the truth.
“The land in question is Army land, but the community keeps selling the land to civilians. The Army took them to Court and the order that nobody continue work on the land pending the determination of the matter.
“But they kept selling, building, and eating deep into the barrack. The matter is in Court and should allow the court to do its work rather than rushing to the media with lies.
“It is not by protesting or rushing to the media branding the Army as a wicked organization but allowing the court to do their job.
“We are waiting patiently for the verdict., the land belongs to the Army and they keep on selling and building on the land even after several warnings.” He concluded.
