BY GABRIEL    ENOGHOLASE
BENIN—THE people of Oghobaye in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have
called on the Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Benin to intervene in the alleged destruction of crops, property and unlawful entry into the community by Dubril Oil Plc to avert a break down of law and order in the area.

However, reacting, Mr. Clement Seweje, who is in charge of the Edo office of Dubril Oil Plc, denied that the company forcefully invaded the land, saying that the land in question was allocated to the company between 1991/1992 by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun administration for expansion.

The elders and Odionwere of the community, led by Chief J. Osaghae, in the petition to the DSS, Benin, through their counsel Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, alleged that on April 23,  2014, Dubril Oil Plc invaded their land with several bulldozers and tractors with over 50 labourers and forcefully entered the over 300 hectares of land belonging to the indigenes of the community.

They alleged that in the process, crops and other valuables belonging to the community were destroyed, adding that the invaders did not seek the consent of the Odionwere, elders and members of the Community Development Association, who are responsible for the allocation of
land to prospective buyers.

They accused the indigenous oil company of committing an act of aggression, invasion, unlawful entry and malicious damage which they said almost resulted in a total breakdown of law and order in the community.

The community also accused a commissioner in the state of using his position to intimidate the community, as the Commissioner said that he had the power to enter into any community in the state without permission from the host community.

Mr. Seweje, in further defence of his company, said: “It is not true that we invaded the community. The land in question was given to us in 1991/92 by the Odigie-Oyegun administration for expansion