The Edo State Government has claimed ownership of the disputed forest reserve between the Abere and Ajakuruma Ijaw communities in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.

The deputy governor of the state, Dennis Idahosa, made the claim during a peace meeting with leaders of the two communities in Benin  City on Thursday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Mr Idahosa, who is also the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, classified the disputed territory as state-owned and not subject to communal ownership claims.

The deputy governor, who declared the exclusive right of the government over the land, warned both communities to desist immediately from laying claim to the land.

According to him, documentary evidence and verified digital coordinates confirmed that the forest reserve is under the authority of the Edo State Government.

He cautioned the communities against attempting to appropriate the area or escalate tensions.

He said, “You cannot fight over what does not belong to you. Documentary evidence showed that the landmass in question belonged to the state, a process verified through the use of digital coordinates.

“Whatever we have done here today is in line with the law. Go back to your communities and ensure that there is peace. Anybody that wants to foment trouble should be ready to face the wrath of the law.”

Mr Idahosa directed residents of both communities to maintain peace and abide strictly by the resolutions of the State Boundary Committee, stressing that it was criminal for any group to lay claim to a government-owned forest reserve.

The deputy governor, however, commended the chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Council, Nosakhare Edobor, for preempting what he described as a looming communal crisis that could have resulted in casualties.

Earlier, the council chairman, who disclosed that the dispute had lingered for about seven months, urged all communities in the area to prioritise dialogue and lawful engagement over violence. 

(NAN)