The Edo State Private Property Protection Taskforce has handed over Mr Johnbull Agbonsomwan of Iguomon Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state, to the Police over his son’s involvement in illegal sales of land.

Mr. Agbonsomwan will be released when his son, Mr Owenaze Johnbull, who is currently on the run, is apprehended.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Osaro Idah, Mr. Agbonsomwan will be released when his son, Mr Johnbull Owenaze, who is currently on the run, is apprehended.

Speaking to journalists at Government House in Benin City, Chief Idah said Agbonsonwan promised to bring his son Owenaze, to be investigated by the taskforce over his involvement in illegal land sales and alleged violent crimes with some youths in Iguomon Community.

He added: “Owenaze and his cohorts have constituted themselves into a group that unleashes violence on landowners and an alternative government in Iguomon community in the name of youth association. They flout government directives and indulge in the sales of people’s land and extort and harass land developers.”

The Taskforce Vice Chairman explained that “Owenaze has refused to honour several invitations by his team and the government will ensure that the activities of the disbanded Community Development Association under any guise is checked. We learnt that Owenaze and some youths beat up one Mr Benson Ekhator, a landowner in the community this morning, and Owenaze’s father will remain in police custody until he is found.’’

The victim, Benson Ekhator, said he was manhandled by some youths in the community, led by Johnbull Owenaze and his father.

•Photo shows Vice Chairman, Task Force on Private Property Protection, Chief Osaro Idah (middle); and other members addressing journalists on the infraction of the Private Property Protection Law that led to the arrest of Mr Johnbull Agbonsomwan at Iguomon community in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo State, on Monday.

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