The Edo State Government has issued a three-week eviction notice to residents occupying land around the temporary site of the newly established Nigerian Army 83 Division Barracks in the Temgboga axis of Benin City.
Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Mr Eugene Okolosei, disclosed this during an assessment visit to the area and an interview with Radio Nigeria.
Okolosei said the government had commenced marking buildings within the designated area for demolition, noting that more than 70 hectares of the land earmarked for the military project had been encroached upon.
He explained that the government had originally allocated about 97 hectares for the project, but alleged that members of the community had sold off approximately 72 hectares, leaving only about 25 hectares available.
According to him, the government is taking steps to recover the land because it is required for the development of the Army barracks and other public purposes.
Okolosei urged residents and prospective property buyers to verify land ownership and documentation with the Edo State Geographic Information System, EdoGIS, before purchasing any property.
He warned that the Public Property Protection Committee would continue its efforts to recover government-owned land that had been illegally acquired or sold.
The committee chairman also advised residents within the affected area to comply with the eviction notice and vacate the site within the stipulated three-week period.
