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 over insecurity that turned violent.
A peaceful demonstration by residents of Ekpoma on Saturday to protest rising insecurity and frequent kidnappings was hijacked by hoodlums, who unleashed chaos across the town. The attackers drove traders away from the livestock market, killed goats, beat cows, and went on to invade and damage parts of the Onojie’s palace. The protest also led to the blockage of a major highway and the shutdown of commercial activities in the area.
On Monday, Governor Okpebholo, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, condemned the attack during a visit to the palace to assess the extent of the damage allegedly caused by the protesters. He said there was no justification for the invasion of a traditional institution under the pretext of expressing grievances over insecurity.
The governor was accompanied by top government officials, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including the Edo Central Senatorial leader, retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, and other party stakeholders.
During the inspection, the governor was taken around the palace and shown several items destroyed during the invasion. Vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to the Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed, alongside damaged doors and windows in the palace.
Describing the invasion and looting as criminal and unacceptable, Governor Okpebholo stressed that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years,” he said. “Kidnapping is a serious problem across Nigeria, and that is why the President has taken bold steps, including withdrawing police from VIP duties, to strengthen the fight against insecurity.”
The governor disclosed that a security meeting had been held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis, adding that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
“We have carried out operations in Edo North and Edo South, and now we are in Edo Central. We will leave no stone unturned. The first operation was very successful—nine kidnapped persons in Etsako West were rescued unhurt and the kidnappers were arrested,” he said.
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 and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable and I condemn the act. We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience,” he stated.
Emphasising his personal connection to the area, the governor said, “I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared.”
Earlier, the traditional ruler described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” the monarch said.
He explained that he tried to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so. He added that they later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and carried out the attack.
Governor Okpebholo assured the Onojie and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations would soon be carried out, stressing that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in Ekpoma and across Edo Central.
Elijah Adeyemi
