Edo Govt Gives Residents Three Weeks to Vacate Army Barracks Site
Amid Nigeria’s housing crisis and rising rents, Edo State Government has issued a three-week eviction notice to residents occupying land earmarked for a new Nigerian Army barracks in Benin City.
The affected residents are around the temporary site of the newly established Nigerian Army 83 Division Barracks at the Temgboga axis of the Benin metropolis.
Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Mr. Eugene Okolosei, disclosed this during an interview with Radio Nigeria after an assessment visit to the area.
Okolosei said the marking of buildings for demolition had commenced, expressing concern that more than 70 hectares of the land acquired for the military project had allegedly been encroached upon.
He explained that the government had originally secured about 97 hectares for the project, but alleged that parts of the land had subsequently been sold by members of the community.
“We have served all of them. What we had there is about 97 hectares of land. The community have sold 72 hectares, leaving only 25. Now we want to make use of them for their own good. The soldiers are coming here to protect us; the land is no more there to be used.”
The committee chairman urged residents to verify the ownership status of land through the Edo State Geographic Information Service, EdoGIS, before purchasing any property.
Okolosei warned that the state government would continue efforts to recover government land allegedly acquired or occupied illegally.
The development comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with rising housing costs, soaring building material prices and a shortage of affordable accommodation in many urban centres.
