By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Dan Mallam Mohammed has warned youths in the state that the ban on Community Development Associations (CDA) is still in force, as anyone or group who under any guise engages in activities contrary to the law would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
The police chief stated this while reacting to alleged activities of some youths who hide under various covers to violently and fraudulently collect land based community development fees and levies from private developers in some parts of the state.
He stated that operatives of his command had been mobilized to swoop on any violator of the law and called on members of the public to inform the police of erring persons and the community of operation.
“CDA is outlawed, is outlawed, we will go round secretly, anybody found wanting will be arrested and prosecuted.
“They (unrepentant CDA members) should stay away from Edo State. Now that we are getting intelligence on their activities we will move in. You will see what will happen,” CP DanMallam assured.
It would be recalled that a law to prohibit forcible entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conduct in relation to landed properties, proscribed the collection of land based community development fees, levies etc by community development association and any other groups in Edo State was assented to by Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki on April 12, 2017.
Prior to the state government’s action, the Oba of Benin HRM Oba Ewuare II also condemned the CDA and their activities in the state.
Recently, some communities, mostly in Edo South, recorded crises allegedly fueled by activities of the proscribed CDA.
