Beninese farmers residing in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised concerns over the federal government’s plan to demolish their homes and farmlands to make way for a Police Secondary School in the town.

The farmers, represented by a delegation led by Romain Kakpo, the president of Beninese Residents in Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, expressed their grievances to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

According to Kakpo, along with representatives Lokossou Theophile and Amanjola Leonard, the proposed secondary school project threatens to deprive them of their means of livelihood if their interests are not considered.

The farmers explained that the land earmarked for the school, measuring approximately seven acres, was purchased from local landowners, who provided them with the necessary documents. They emphasized that the land, acquired between 2012 and 2015, has significantly appreciated in value, with parts now being sold for N3 million per plot compared to the N300,000 they originally paid.

Claiming that they have invested heavily in the land by farming cassava and molding concrete blocks, in addition to constructing houses and installing a borehole for water supply, the farmers asserted that the compensation offered by the authorities, reportedly N600,000, is grossly inadequate.

“It is not ordinary land. This is where we live with our family. We have boreholes and houses on the land, we are molding blocks on the land, just as we have cassava planted on the land running into acres,” Kakpo stated.

Appealing to the federal government to send a delegation to assess and properly value their investments on the land, including their houses, the farmers stressed their willingness to cooperate with development initiatives but demanded fair compensation.

Furthermore, they warned of legal action if adequate compensation is not provided.

In response, Oba Alani Egunjobi, the Elerinja of Erinja, acknowledged the occupation of portions of land by the farmers but emphasized the government’s right to acquire land for developmental projects.

While noting ongoing discussions and compensation arrangements, Oba Egunjobi indicated that some farmers had yet to provide the necessary details for compensation, causing delays.

He assured that those ready to receive compensation would start receiving their payments promptly.

The standoff underscores the challenges of balancing development initiatives with the protection of livelihoods and property rights, highlighting the need for fair and transparent compensation processes in land acquisition projects.