The long-running land dispute between residents of Oke-Oroma Community and the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki has finally been resolved, bringing relief and renewed hope to hundreds of affected families. The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Housing, has begun issuing allocation letters for the return of 2,950 plots of land to 1,550 genuine owners whose properties were demolished in 2022.

The development was confirmed in Benin City by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Yakubu Musa, who said the exercise followed the approval of Governor Monday Okpebholo to restore the seized lands to their rightful owners. According to him, the move marks a major step toward correcting past injustices and rebuilding trust between the government and the people.

Victims of the September 21, 2022 demolition exercise gathered at the Ministry of Lands and Housing, where their documents were carefully verified before allocation letters were issued to eligible beneficiaries. The process, which spans one week, was designed to authenticate true landowners and ensure that only legitimate claims were honored.

Hon. Musa explained that surveyors are already on-site demarcating the plots, while bulldozers are clearing the land to allow beneficiaries take physical possession of their properties. He noted that by next week, landowners would begin reclaiming their plots fully.

He praised Governor Okpebholo for what he described as compassionate leadership, saying the governor’s decision has restored hope to a community that had lost everything. He added that the action fulfilled a campaign promise made by the governor to return the land to genuine owners and demonstrated that governance can indeed have a human face.

Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude after receiving their allocation letters. One of them, Mr. Adebayo Benjamin Ogenelkhemeh, described Governor Okpebholo as a restorer of lost hope. He said the verification and allocation process was smooth and orderly despite the large turnout, noting that he had long given up hope of ever recovering his land.

Another victim, Mrs. Onose Onyegbulem, also thanked the governor for keeping his word, describing the return of the land as a life-changing moment for affected families.

Efe Kennedy Ewemade recalled the pain of September 21, 2022, describing it as a dark day for Oke-Oroma residents. He said the demolition led to loss of lives, arrests of peaceful protesters, and years of suffering under what he termed oppression. According to him, some protesters were detained for weeks simply for demanding justice.

He said the intervention of Governor Okpebholo has ended years of anguish and turned what once seemed like an impossible dream into reality, adding that the return of the land has wiped away the tears of many families in the community.

With the ongoing issuance of allocation letters and physical demarcation of plots, Oke-Oroma Community is now set on a path of recovery, closure, and renewed confidence in governance.