Benin City – The significance of land cannot be overstated nor can its preeminent relevance as a factor of production. Land enjoys a universal level of attachment and in Africa, that attachment assumes an heightened dimension as life and living seem dependent on land.
This is even more so in the Southern Part of Nigeria where disputes over land have been most frequent and destructive. It may appear that the battle over land is more evident and dramatic when neighboring communities clash , but there is a quieter but no less destructive a war going on among members of the same family over land matters . Opposing members of the same family have disappeared without trace , decomposing bodies dug up from shallow graves , grievous bodily injuries inflicted on one another as members of the same family plunge into bloodletting as a result of fight over land.
Reports reaching our news desk from Ogida Community in Benin City have it that the family of late Mr. Bright Ogidan has been embroiled in a protracted dispute over the sharing of their late father properties. The said Mr. Bright Ogidan left behind several wives and children and he is said to have died intestate.
According to our investigation, no fewer than 11 family members sustained serious machete wounds when the latest round of fight broke out.
One Ogidan Job, a member of the family, has neither been seen nor heard from since the last eruption of violence.
Our investigation reveals that the said Ogidan Job only recently lost his retail business of phone accessories to hoodlums who broke into his shop and carted away all his wares. The young man has intended to start his business afresh with proceeds from the sale of his share in his father’s estate as he is the first son of the second wife of the deceased Bright Ogidan.
Investigation further reveals that the said Ogidan Job was earlier attacked by unknown thugs rumored to be on the payroll of a prominent member of the Ogidan family who is said to have given the instructions that Ogidan Job be killed.
The young man has not been seen since he managed to escape from his uncle’s purportedly hired thugs . The level of violence over land disputes has reached a worrisome level as body count mounts and society descends into anarchy. The time to stem this tide is now and make the necessary land reform that will guarantee equity and fairness in land acquisition and distribution. In the meanwhile, it is hoped that Ogidan Job is still alive.
