Benin, Edo - The Edo State Government has vowed to revoke illegally acquired farmlands by some companies.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa made the vow when he received members of the Association of Cocoa Farmers, Edo state chapter in his office.

According to him, some of the farmlands were acquired through proxies by the companies, adding that “due process would be followed in retrieving such lands.”

He particularly commended members of the association from Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of the state for being law-abiding in spite of challenges.

He said Governor Monday Okpebholo was aware of farmers’ socio-economic contributions to their local government areas and the state at large

“By paying your taxes regularly to the state government, nobody would be able to take away your lands and due dividends.”

He explained that the Okpebholo’s administration was putting measures in place to minimize farmer/herders clashes as well as ensure security of lives and property in the state.

Earlier, cocoa farmers chairman, Mr. Bello Osaretin had alleged that some civil servants from the ministry of agriculture and food security are conniving with some Chinese to sell the Ohosu and Okomu forest reserve to them.

He alleged that over 40 communities presently occupied by farmers in Ovia South West, would no longer be in existence if governor Openholo failed to intervene.