The Tipper Drivers’ Association in Edo State has given Ovbokhan Igbinovia, the chief priest of Okhuoromi community, Oredo Local Government Area of the state seven days’ ultimatum to return their landed property.
While briefing newsmen at the association’s head office on Monday in Benin City, the state capital, Chairman of the association, Austin Uhunmwangho, said if the state government, Oba of Benin Kingdom and concerned authorities do not prevail on Igbinovia to return the property bought by their members and other individuals to the association, the body would be left with no choice but to withdraw its services across the state.
He said: “The chief priest collected my land, including that of my members, he destroyed our buildings. Buildings that were up to roofing level, all went down the drain, just like that.
“We are not the only victims of this whole evil act, you can see some other persons here. We have taken it upon ourselves to liberate others even while we fight for our rights. What we want is our land; we don’t want any other thing. Our members’ land and all these victims of circumstances’ property must be returned to them.
“We have gotten over 50 petitions with evidence of houses that have been demolished. The state government and the Benin palace should intervene. We have given the chief priest seven days’ ultimatum or declare total shutdown of services across the entire state.”
The Chief Priest, Igbinovia, had accused the association chairman of interfering in an affair that he was never invited with the motive of satisfying his side chick.
He said Uhunmwangho and his members did not buy any landed property from authorities of the community.