Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured traders affected by a fire outbreak at the Ekpoma Police Division that the state government will rebuild the shops destroyed in the incident.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during a visit to the police station to assess the damage to the shops, which were constructed by the Police Officers’ Wives Association.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Okpebholo expressed deep concern over the incident and pledged swift government intervention, alongside renewed security actions to restore calm in the area.
Addressing shop owners at the scene, the governor said he was pained by the development, noting that recent events in Ekpoma suggested a pattern of coordinated attacks.
“A lot of things are happening here now, but we are going after them,” he said.
Okpebholo dismissed claims that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen, insisting instead that they were political elements seeking to destabilise the community.
“They are killing our people in the name of being Fulanis. They are not Fulanis. They are political elements, and we have started arresting them,” the governor stated.
He warned that no individual would be shielded from justice, regardless of status or connections.
“There’s nothing to fear. Our people will not suffer for nothing. No matter how highly placed they are, we will go after all of them. Even if it were my own father involved in kidnapping, violence, or destruction, he would be brought to justice. No one is above the law,” he said.
The governor was accompanied by top government and security officials, including the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen; the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika; and the Commander of the 4-Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Olatunboju, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the affected traders, Mr Israel Ughulu and Prof. Aghemelo Austin Thomas said they felt victimised over a crisis they had no involvement in.
Ughulu explained that the fire started around midnight and spread rapidly.
“At about twelve midnight, we got a call that our shops were on fire. In less than 30 seconds, the whole building went down. We watched our properties burn until about 5 a.m. without any help,” he said.
The shop owners described the governor’s visit as unprecedented, noting that a similar incident occurred about two years ago without such high-level attention.
In a major relief to the victims, Okpebholo announced that reconstruction of the affected shops would begin within the week.
“Between now and Friday, they will come and start building this place for you people. After the building, we will take inventory so that you will return to your shops without going to borrow from the bank,” he assured.
The area has been tense following a crisis that erupted on Saturday after a peaceful protest over insecurity turned violent. Hoodlums reportedly hijacked the protest, attacking traders at the livestock market, killing goats, injuring cows, and vandalising property. The palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, was also attacked, an act condemned by the governor.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that one person was shot by a soldier during the unrest, adding that the matter had been referred to military authorities for investigation.
The crisis began in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, when residents protested rising insecurity, including kidnappings and the killing of a youth on Friday night. The protesters blocked a major highway before the situation degenerated into violence.
