Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, following violence that erupted during a protest in the community at the weekend.
Residents of Ekpoma had staged a peaceful protest on Saturday over rising insecurity and repeated cases of kidnapping. However, the demonstration was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed violence across the town.
The attackers chased traders away from the livestock market, killed goats and vandalised parts of the Onojie's palace. The protest also led to the blockage of a major highway, crippling commercial activities in the area.
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 palace as unjustifiable, stressing that grievances over insecurity must never be expressed through attacks on traditional institutions.
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The governor was accompanied by top government officials, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Edo Central Senatorial leader, retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, alongside other party stakeholders.
During the visit, 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 damaged. Cartons of noodles belonging to the Onojie's wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed. Doors and windows of the palace were broken.
Describing the invasion and looting as criminal acts, Governor Okpebholo warned that protests must not be used as a cover for lawlessness.
"I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
"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 said.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with strong attention on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis, adding that the government had deployed 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.
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"The first operation was very successful--nine kidnapped persons in Etsako West were rescued unhurt and the kidnappers were arrested," he stated.
Governor Okpebholo warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
"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 said.
Emphasising his personal ties to the area, the governor added, "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 Onojie 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 initially attempted to address the protesters when they arrived but was prevented from doing so. According to him, the protesters later returned while he was attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.
Governor Okpebholo assured the traditional ruler 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 the community and across Edo Central.
