AUCHI, IVBIARO & WARRAKE LAND DISPUTE: Edo State Government Wades

Speaking during the meeting held at the Government House in Benin, Edo State, the Deputy Governor, Rt, Hon Comrade Philp Shaibu, on behalf of the State Government, appealed and gave a deadline of 60 days to the three disputed communities; Ivbiaro, Warake, and Auchi to have an amicable discussion on the boundary dispute between amongst before the State Government will give its final verdict.

Speaking further, Shaibu assured the disputed parties that the boundary issue will be resolved without any bloodshed which is capable of causing civil unrest in the society while admonishing parties to adopt a mutual agreement on the subject matter which has been the core value of our existence before the state government takes a final decision.

The Deputy Governor however mandated the three warring communities to stop all activities on the disputed land pending the amicable resolution.

He used the opportunity to warn those who are building on government land to desist from it, adding that government will not hesitate to sanction any government land grabber.

In their separate responses on behalf of their various communities, Sufiyanu Igbafen from Warake, Mallam Alasa Ikhelowa from Ivbiaro, and Alhaji Yayah Dirisu from Auchi commended the Edo State government for the prompt intervention into the matter and promised to go back to their various communities as instructed by the government to resolve the land dispute as it forms the basis of our unity in diversity.

Recall that a petition was submitted to the state government Boundary Committee on the 27th of January 2022, by Ivbiaro and Warake communities in Owan East local government area on the boundary dispute between them and Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area.