The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo state on Thursday explained that it has sealed a brothel situated within a primary school in Esan West Local Government Area of the state.
Eugene Okolosie, the state coordinator for the Protection of Government Property made this disclosure in a press conference convened in Benin city. She added that several land amounting to over 2,000 plots previously encroached has been recovered by the state.
Okolosie noted that so far, over 150, 000 houses in the state are built on government land and appealed to those who want to acquire landed property to get clearance from the Edo Geographic Information Service, to avoid falling victim to the criminal activities of land grabbers.
He said, “A lot of government properties have been encroached upon. Seven per cent of our moat has been taken over, and the most affected is our public schools.
“In Ambrose Alli University alone, we have recovered plots of land from land grabbers.
“The community came to inform us that land grabbers forged their signatures, and we moved into action and recovered about 90 percent of the land back, including lands belonging to schools.
“Also, in Ujuele Primary School, they built a brothel inside the school, and we have sealed the brothel, and some of these properties will be converted, as we are presently discussing this peculiar issue with the governor.
“In Iyoba, the community on their own shared the school land into two and sold half to individuals.
“A kitchen was carved out next to a classroom. How will students learn with the aroma of stew getting into the classroom? That again is being investigated, and those suspected to be involved have been invited.”
Okolosie also made it known that the agency has received petitions numbering about Three thousand (3,000) from several communities with regard to illegal acquisition of government properties in the state.
He applauded Governor Okpebholo for effecting the provision of legal counsels to the agency in a bid to ensure the smooth prosecution of offenders.
