RismadarVoice Reporters
January 13, 2026
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured victims of the recent fire at Ekpoma Police Division that the state government will rebuild the shops destroyed during the unrest.
The governor made the promise while visiting the police station to assess the damage to shops constructed by the Police Officers’ Wives Association. His visit was accompanied by top government officials, including the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and the Commander of 4-Brigade Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Olatunboju.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Okpebholo assured affected traders of swift government intervention and renewed security measures.
Addressing the shop owners on site, he expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that recent events in Ekpoma suggest a pattern of coordinated attacks.
“A lot of things are happening here now. But we are going after them,” the Governor said. He dismissed claims that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen, insisting instead that they were political elements intent on destabilizing the area.
“They are killing our people, with the name they are Fulanis. They are not Fulanis. They are political elements. We have started arresting them,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo stressed that no one is above the law, adding: “Even if it were my own father involved in kidnapping, violence, or destruction, he would be brought to justice.”
Two of the affected shop owners, Mr. Israel Ughulu and Prof. Aghemelo Austin Thomas, who spoke on behalf of the victims, said the fire left them completely helpless.
Ughulu explained that the blaze 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, recalling a similar incident two years ago that did not receive high-level attention.
In a relief to victims, the Governor announced that reconstruction of the shops will begin within the week and assured traders that government support would extend beyond rebuilding:
“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 can return to your shops without going to borrow from the bank,” he said.
The crisis began on Saturday in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, when residents staged a protest over rising insecurity, kidnappings, and the killing of a youth the previous night.
The demonstration, which initially blocked a major highway, was hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders at the livestock market, killing goats and beating cows, scenes captured in viral videos.
They also vandalized the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an act condemned by the Governor.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, said one person was shot by a soldier and that the case had been referred to military authorities.
