Benin, Edo – In a significant step toward resolving a long-standing land crisis that has plagued the Oke-Oroma community for nearly a decade, the Edo State Government has commenced the profiling of property owners displaced by controversial demolitions.

The initiative, announced in a press release dated November 24, 2025, marks the first formal phase in returning lands to verified victims and aims to restore peace amid plans for a proposed "new city" development in the area.

The exercise, overseen by a dedicated team established under the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo, will run from November 26 to December 5, 2025, at a designated open space in the Oke-Oroma community. Property owners affected in "Lot A" are scheduled for documentation starting Wednesday, November 26, while those in "Lot B" will follow from December 3 to 5.

Participants are required to present legitimate documents, including surveys, to authenticate their claims, with on-site support from state surveyors.

Successful verifications are expected to culminate in the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, formalizing ownership rights.

The team, chaired by Commissioner for Lands and Surveys Hon. Yakubu Musa, includes key figures such as Commissioner for Public Safety and Security Rt. Hon. Festus Osagiemwenkpolor, Edo Geographic Information System (GIS) Director Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, Government House Chief Security Officer CSP Roberts O. Ugheghe, Surveyor General of Edo State Mr. Henry Aghedo, and Dr. Abdulwasiu Oyakhire as secretary.

The press release emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for imposters and land grabbers, who will be handed over to security agencies for prosecution.

Governor Okpebholo, a distinguished senator before assuming office, has positioned this effort as central to his administration's "SHINE" agenda, which prioritizes security, health, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.

"His Excellency... is committed to ensuring that peace and succor returns to victims of the demolition as part of the SHINE agenda of his administration," the statement reads.

The Oke-Oroma land saga traces back to 2017, when the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki initiated forceful acquisitions of community lands in Oke-Oroma, Obagie, and neighboring Amagba areas for state development projects.

What followed was a cycle of violent clashes, protests, and demolitions, including the razing of at least 90 residential houses in September 2022 despite a subsisting court injunction restraining such actions. Victims, many of whom were low-income residents, decried the moves as arbitrary, leading to loss of lives, livelihoods, and homes.

Tensions escalated into 2025, with community protests in July and August highlighting unresolved court judgments affirming the lands as communal property, not state-owned.

In a pivotal May 28 meeting with community leaders, Governor Okpebholo pledged comprehensive restitution, including the protection of traditional sites during the envisioned new city expansion around the affected areas. He directed affected owners to submit documents for verification and announced amnesty programs for involved youths, alongside skills training to curb cultism and crime.

Earlier this month, on November 19, the governor reiterated his commitment by announcing a commission of inquiry to probe the disputes, investigate wrongful Certificates of Occupancy, and recommend land returns to rightful owners.

Security reinforcements were also promised to maintain calm during the process.

Community leaders have urged eligible victims to participate diligently, warning against exploitation by opportunists.

As profiling begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., officials anticipate high turnout, with the process poised to not only restitute properties but also pave the way for equitable urban development in one of Benin's most contested neighborhoods.

Edo State officials could not be reached for additional comment by press time, but Dr. Abdulwasiu Oyakhire, the team's secretary, affirmed in the release that the initiative represents "the first step in the return of the land to victims."

This development comes at a critical juncture for Governor Okpebholo's young administration, offering a test case for fulfilling campaign promises of justice and reconciliation in a state scarred by years of acrimonious land battles.