A Coalition of Civil Society Organisation in Edo State has frowned on the re-emergence of the Community Development Associations as they have begun attacking land/property owners in different communities in the state.
The immediate past governor of the state Godwin Obaseki in 2017 signed into law, the bill prohibiting forceful and illegal occupation of landed property by Community Development Associations. Shortly after signing the bill into law, the governor proceeded to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to present a copy of the law to him.
Also, Oba Ewuare II in his coronation speech, decried the bloodshed in communities perpetrated by land grabbers under the guise of CDAs, and vowed to move for a law that will decisively deal with such people and ban the CDAs in the communities.
However, the CSO lamented the CDAs have resumed their activities, demanding illegal levies fees and harassing land owners as well as encouraging land grabbing in the state.
In a communique made available to the PUNCH on Wednesday signed by Emmanuel Ogbidi, the CSO warned that the activities of the CDAs would militate against development in the state.
The statement reads, “This is to communicate our stance regarding the illegal activities of members of the Community Development Agencies in Edo State and the impact it will have on development in Edo State.
“Your Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, you are aware that to ensure that the people of Edo State can thrive peacefully and develop, there was a need to ensure that these CDAs did not in any way militate against growth and development within the state.
“After needed inputs from various stakeholders, including his Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the government enacted Edo State Private Property Protection law in 2016 which was enforced by a committee to ensure that the illegal activities of CDAs were minimized in the state to the barest minimum.
“This was further strengthened in subsequent years and the results of the stability included speedy development of various parts of Edo State previously plagued by the harassment and intimidation by members of Community Development Agencies who would not cay halt legal construction activities in legally procured plots of land within the state, but also inflict various levels of bodily harm to both citizens and investors in the state
“Sir, it is worthy of note that these CDAs have resurfaced with their illegal activities which include extortions, destructions of properties and physical attacks aimed at stalling development in the state due to the malicious interests of chairmen of such CDAs as well as ill-meaning community leaders and it has led to reduced trust in the capacity of the government to maintain law and order in which are pivotal in ensuring sustainable development in the state.
“As a matter of fact, on the 4th of August 2025, members of such CDA attacked a citizen of the state, Comrade Osunbor Kelly and destroyed several properties while making threats to life as they kept making demands of settlement before construction activities could resume.
“Furthermore, such illegal acts by members of the CDA have resulted in uncanny clashes in various parts of the state (especially in Edo-South Senatorial district) and also spurred other forms of insecurity as tolerance of one form of crime usually would make other forms of crime to leverage on such, as evident in the simultaneous increase in cult killings, gang wars, robbery and kidnapping the state.”
As a way forward, the CSO the governor to make a clear stance on land grabbing, reinvigorate the Edo State Private Property Protection, set up to enforce the activities to boost the activities of the Edo State Private Property Protection, dedicate a toll line for the public to report such menace by members of such CDAs.
They also called for the arrest of those who perpetuated the acts of violence and harassment against Kelly with a view of prosecuting them
The CSO noted that citizens cannot succumb to “illegal taxation” by unscrupulous leaders of various CDAs after paying statutory taxes to the government expressing hope that the government would look into the issue and restore the confidence of the Edo people in ensuring a safe haven for peace, growth and development.
