BENIN CITY — Tension is mounting in Eso Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, following allegations of large-scale land grabbing levelled against a retired police officer, Mr. Daniel Aruagbon, in a dispute that has split opinion among indigenes and elders.
The suspended Enogie of Eso, Pa Moses Omobude, alongside other community leaders and family representatives, has accused Aruagbon of unlawfully taking over extensive farmlands belonging to families in the area, amid growing calls for urgent intervention by traditional and government authorities.
Addressing elders at a community meeting, Pa Omobude alleged that the retired officer seized more than 500 hectares of family land and an additional 300 hectares belonging to the late Pa Peter Asenoguan, while he was under suspension as Enogie of the community.
He further claimed that the disputed lands were subsequently allocated to relatives of the former police officer, deepening tensions within the agrarian community.
Pa Omobude also lamented what he described as official inaction, alleging that repeated reports to the police did not yield any response.
“The police failed to act even after we raised the alarm over what is happening to our ancestral lands,” he said.
At the meeting, some indigenes, including Monday Asenoguan and Iserhierien Ukporefe, strongly backed the allegations, describing the situation as an “unacceptable encroachment” on communal heritage.
They called on the Benin Monarch and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently to prevent further escalation.
“This former police officer has gravely encroached on our lands. We want the palace to step in and restore peace before it gets out of hand,” one of the speakers said.
However, in a swift reaction, Mr. Aruagbon denied all allegations levelled against him, insisting that he did not unlawfully acquire or allocate any community land.
He maintained that the claims were unfounded, but did not provide further details.
Despite the denial, the aggrieved natives insisted that only the intervention of the Benin Monarch and constituted authorities can resolve the deepening dispute and restore lasting peace to the community.
