Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo assured shop owners affected by the fire at the police station in Ekpoma that the state government would rebuild the destroyed businesses.
The governor made this pledge during a visit to the police station to assess the damage. The shops had been built by the Police Women’s Association (POWA).
In a statement released Tuesday by his chief of staff, Okpebholo promised a swift government response and increased security measures in the area.
Addressing the affected shop owners, the governor expressed his regret over the incident and described the recent events in Ekpoma as part of a series of coordinated attacks.
“There’s a lot going on here right now, but we’re working to find those responsible,” he said.
The governor rejected claims that the attackers were Fulani herders and emphasized that the violence was perpetrated by political groups seeking to destabilize the region.
“They kill our people and call them Fulani. They are not Fulani; they are political elements. We have started arresting them,” he said.
He also assured residents that no one involved in kidnappings, acts of violence, or destruction would be spared, regardless of their status or affiliation.
“Regardless of their rank, we will prosecute them all. No one is above the law,” Okpebholo warned.
The governor was accompanied by high-ranking government and security officials, including the Minister of Public Security, Ebea Festus Odianosen, the Chief of Police, Monday Agbonika, and the commander of the 4th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Olatunboju.
Earlier, two shop owners, Israel Ughulu and Professor Aghemelo Austin Thomas, stated on behalf of the victims that they were in shock. They reported that the fire broke out around midnight and spread rapidly.
Ughulu described how the shop owners watched helplessly as the building went up in flames within minutes, with no action taken until dawn.
Shop owners described the governor’s visit as unprecedented, pointing out that a similar fire had occurred two years prior without such a decisive response from the authorities.
A large crowd gathered during the governor’s visit to the disaster area. Residents praised the state government’s swift action.
Relief for the victims: Okpebholo announced that the reconstruction of the damaged businesses would begin this week. He also assured the traders that government support would not end with the reconstruction but would also help them resume their businesses without financial hardship.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Ekpoma following a protest against increasing insecurity that turned violent on Saturday. Reports indicate that individuals infiltrated the protest, attacked traders at the livestock market, and damaged the palace of Ekpoma’s Onojie, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
Edo State Police spokesman Eno Ikoedem confirmed that a person was shot by a soldier during the unrest and added that the case had been referred to military authorities for investigation.
The crisis erupted after a demonstration by local residents protesting the frequent kidnappings and the murder of a young man in the community. The demonstration subsequently escalated into violence.
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