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Tensions Rise as Edo and Delta States Clash Over Urhonigbe Land Ownership

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Benin city, Edo State — September 18, 2025

A long-simmering boundary dispute between Edo and Delta States has once again come to the fore, as both sides lay claim to the oil-rich and agrarian community of Urhonigbe. The conflict, captured in a recent viral video, has heightened concerns among residents who fear renewed clashes and political escalation.

The land dispute between Edo and Delta States over Urhonigbe community has escalated after a viral video surfaced showing Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and Commissioner-designate Hon. Etinosa Ogbeiwi addressing residents.

In the video, Idahosa assured the people of Edo’s firm commitment to protect Urhonigbe’s territorial integrity, pledging that no inch of Edo land would be ceded. Ogbeiwi echoed his stance, warning against external encroachment and urging residents to remain vigilant but peaceful.

At the heart of the dispute are fertile farmlands and suspected oil reserves, making the community more than a boundary settlement. Analysts suggest the stakes are as much political as economic, with both states eyeing control of a strategic border territory.

“Urhonigbe must not be sacrificed on the altar of politics,” a local elder warned. For now, the community sits uneasily — a land rich in promise but trapped in a dangerous tug-of-war.

While Edo State authorities maintain that Urhonigbe remains under their jurisdiction, some voices from Delta insist that historical and cultural ties give them rightful claim to the land. Analysts warn that unless clearly resolved, the dispute could escalate into violent confrontations, similar to past inter-communal crises in Nigeria’s border towns.

Security agencies have been placed on alert, while traditional rulers and civil society groups are pushing for dialogue. Many residents, however, remain anxious about their safety and livelihoods as uncertainty looms.

For now, the fate of Urhonigbe hangs in the balance — caught between history, politics, and the urgent need for peace.

Behind the Battle for Urhonigbe: Politics, Oil, and the Unfinished Boundary War Between Edo and Delta

Reserved Rubber Factory, Urhonigbe, Edo State

The land dispute between Edo and Delta States over Urhonigbe community is more than a quarrel over borders. At its core lies a struggle for economic power, political influence, and control of natural resources — a battle that threatens to destabilize one of Nigeria’s most culturally vibrant regions.

A recent viral video from the disputed community, showing residents and leaders voicing anger over alleged encroachment, has reignited debate on who truly owns Urhonigbe. While on the surface it appears to be a communal boundary quarrel, closer investigation reveals layers of competing interests that stretch from local farmers to state capitals — and even to Abuja.

The Economic Stakes

Urhonigbe is not just any rural settlement. The community sits on fertile agricultural land that supports large-scale farming, palm oil production, and suspected untapped oil reserves. Control of such a territory offers not just pride, but revenue streams in an era where state governments are under pressure to diversify their economies beyond federal allocations.

Sources close to both state governments told this newspaper that exploration surveys have identified oil-bearing prospects around Urhonigbe’s axis, making the community a “strategic prize.” If confirmed, the discovery would explain the renewed intensity with which both Edo and Delta are asserting claims.

Political Dimensions

Political analysts note that the crisis is being fueled by electoral calculations. Edo State, preparing for gubernatorial elections next year, views Urhonigbe as a symbol of territorial integrity that must not be ceded under any circumstances. Delta State politicians, meanwhile, see the land as historically theirs, citing cultural and clan affiliations.

“The community is being used as a pawn,” said a civil society activist based in Benin City. “This is no longer just about villagers marking farm boundaries. It’s about two states positioning themselves for control of resources and influence.”

Historical Context

The dispute is not new. Archival records show that Urhonigbe’s boundaries were contested during the colonial era, with shifting administrative divisions blurring lines between present-day Edo and Delta territories. Successive state governments have failed to settle the matter, leaving the people of Urhonigbe in limbo.

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has repeatedly promised to conduct surveys to resolve the issue, but years of bureaucratic inertia and political interference have stalled progress.

The Human Cost

Caught in the middle are ordinary residents of Urhonigbe. Farmers complain of harassment when they cross disputed lands, while traders worry that instability could scare away business. “We just want peace and recognition,” said a community elder in the viral video. “Our children should not inherit crisis.”

The fear is not unfounded. Similar disputes in Nigeria have escalated into violent communal clashes, with loss of lives and destruction of property. Security operatives in Edo South and Delta North have been placed on alert, though residents say visible government presence remains weak.

The Way Forward

Experts argue that only a transparent federal-led demarcation process can resolve the Urhonigbe question. Without decisive action, the community risks becoming another flashpoint in Nigeria’s long list of unresolved border crises.

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