Concerned Civil Society Frowns Against The Coming Back Of CDAs

Concerned Civil Society Frowns Against The Coming Back Of CDAs

... Expresses Disappointment Over Brutality Of Their Member 

Iduozee Efe Paul,Benin 

 

Concerned Civil Society organisation in Edo state has frowned against the coming back of Community Development Association (CDAs) in the various communities in the state.

The body said their coming back has served as a threat due to their illegal activities such as extortions, destruction of properties and physical attacks aimed at stalling development in Edo state.

They also expressed disappointment over the brutality of one of their members, Comrade Kelly Osunbor who his house was destroyed by suspected thugs in Amagba community in Oredo local government area of Edo state.

Addressing journalists in Benin city, spokesperson for the Concerned Civil Society Organisation, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, said Edo State government should reinvigorate the Edo State Private Property Protection (PPP) law to collaborate the confidence of potential investors in the state who should not be deterred from engaging in capital intensive and developmental projects within the state for fear of molestation from CDAs, due to land grabbing and related activities.

He asserted," Your Excellency, you are doubtless aware that due to the need to ensure that the people of Edo State can thrive peacefully and develop, there was need to ensure that the state did not in any way militate against growth and development within the State. 

"After needed inputs from various stakeholders, including his Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokplor, Oba Ewuare Il, the government enacted Edo State Private Property Protection (PPP) law in 2016 which was enforced by a committee to ensure that the illegal activities of CDAs were minimised in the state to the barest minimum.

"This was further strengthened in subsequent years and the results of the stability included speedy development of various parts of Edo State previously plagued by the harassment and intimidation by members of Community Development Association (CDAs) who would not only halt legal construction activities in legally procured plots of land within the state, but also inflict various levels of bodily harm to both citizens and investors in the state. 

"  It is worthy of note that these CDAs have resurfaced with their illegal activities which include extortion, destructions of properties and physical attacks aimed at stalling development in the state due to the malicious interests of chairmen of such CDAs.

"As well as ill-meaning community leaders, leading to reduced trust in the capacity of the government to maintain law and order in_the state which are pivotal in ensuring sustainable development in the state. 

"As a matter of fact, on the 4th of August 2025, members of such CDA attacked a citizen of the state, Comrade Osunbor Kelly and destroyed several properties while making threats to life as they kept making demand of settlement before construction activities could resume without further attacks."

 

Ogbidi said such illegal acts by members of the CDA have resulted in uncanny clashes in various parts of the state (especially in Edo-South Senatorial District) and also spurred other forms of insecurity as tolerance of one form of crime usually would make other forms of crime to leverage on such, as evident with the simultaneous 

increase in cult killings, gang wars, robbery and kidnapping in tne state. 

Narrating how the community thugs invaded his house, Comrade Kelly Osunbor said, they were renovating a security house when the thugs came to impose levy on them. 

Osunbor said they have been living in the house for the past six years, that the house is not a new house. He said those community CDA thugs are boys of Ebo Amagba who he called on phone to come to his rescue but said the thugs are doing their work.

" My job is to ensure the community and the state is safe. Our job as CSO is to put pressure on stakeholders, opinion leaders who are saddle with the responsibility to manage our state. So that they can do the right thing that is our culture.

" To always put pressure and work for institutional reforms, if not I would have give them the money they want and they will just go. I was brutally embarrassed, harass, beaten up, traumatized and my property was destroyed.

" I called Ebo Amagba in his own capacity to come to my rescue. At that moment I needed him most he denied me that privilege that I taught he can give me as a stakeholder in Amagba community. He said that those guys are doing their lawful duty, that the community has rules and regulations," he lamented.

In his contribution, President of the Talakawa Parliament, Comrade Kola Edokpayi, appealed to the Oba of Benin to setup committee that would be monitoring the illegal activities of the CDAs in order to prevent more investors coming to the state.