Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has strongly condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, following a protest in the community that turned violent.
What began as a peaceful demonstration by residents of Ekpoma over rising insecurity and frequent cases of kidnapping on Saturday was later hijacked by hoodlums, who unleashed violence across the town.
During the unrest, traders were chased out of the livestock market, animals were killed, and parts of the monarch’s palace were vandalised. The attackers also blocked a major highway, bringing commercial activities in the area to a standstill.
On Monday, Governor Okpebholo visited the palace to assess the extent of the damage. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor described the invasion of the traditional institution as unjustifiable and unacceptable.
He stressed that no grievance, including concerns over insecurity, should be used as an excuse to attack a revered traditional institution or engage in criminal behaviour.
The governor was accompanied by top government officials, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and senior leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including the Edo Central Senatorial leader, retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, alongside other party stakeholders.
During the inspection, Governor Okpebholo was shown several items destroyed during the invasion. Vehicles within the palace premises were vandalised, while canopies, chairs, doors, and windows were damaged. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to the Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Describing the attack and looting as criminal, the governor warned that protests must never degenerate into violence or lawlessness.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have always shown to me and to our people,” Okpebholo said.
He acknowledged that kidnapping remains a major challenge across the country, adding that the Federal Government has taken decisive steps to tackle insecurity, including withdrawing police officers from VIP duties to strengthen security operations.
The governor disclosed that a security meeting had been held earlier in the week with a focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis, noting that the state had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security measures.
“We have conducted operations in Edo North and Edo South, and now we are fully in Edo Central. We will leave no stone unturned,” he said.
According to him, the first operation in the area had already yielded results, with nine kidnapped victims rescued unhurt in Etsako West and their abductors arrested.
Governor Okpebholo warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be tracked down and prosecuted.
“They came under the guise of protest, driven by emotions, and then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable. We will pursue them the same way we are pursuing kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience,” he said.
Emphasising his personal commitment to the peace of Ekpoma and Esanland, the governor added that he would not allow criminality to take root in the area.
“I am an Esan man, and Ekpoma gave me my highest votes. I will not allow bad things to happen here. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves,” he said.
Earlier, the Onojie of Ekpoma described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the attackers were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What happened was very sad. Many of them were drug-induced. If not for God’s intervention, the situation could have been much worse,” the monarch said.
He explained that he initially tried to address the protesters when they arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away at a security meeting with other traditional rulers and forced their way into the palace.
Governor Okpebholo assured the monarch and residents of Ekpoma that decisive security operations would commence immediately, stressing that peace, law and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo State.
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