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•Okpebholo visits fire scene, promises to rebuild burnt shops
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Government, yesterday, dismissed as false and misleading several social media reports surrounding the recent incidents in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, describing them as part of a coordinated attempt to misinform the public and destabilise the state.
In a clarification issued by Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government said the incident was not a protest but a well organised riot sponsored by a Nigerian resident in Russia and other locations overseas. Security agencies, according to the state, have already identified the masterminds, who contacted several individuals in Ekpoma, proposing sponsoring the organisation of coordinated riots across Ekpoma, Auchi, Irrua and even the Government House, Benin City, with funding from the diaspora.
The government firmly refuted claims that those arrested and facing prosecution in connection with the violence were students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, or that their arrests were made inside student hostels. It stressed that AAU is currently closed, with all students having vacated the hostels long before the incident. Those arrested were intercepted while allegedly heading to vandalise property on campus. While others were faces identified on the viral video of the incident showing various acts of arson carried out.
According to the Edo State Government, most of the arrests were based on clear evidence, including a video showing acts of violence and destruction. The suspects arrested are rioters, not peaceful protesters. The government also emphasised that the incident has no connection whatsoever with students or the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The state further debunked another viral video circulating online and falsely tagged as a kidnapping incident in Ekpoma, stating that the incident is a gross misrepresentation. The government described the video as part of a deliberate campaign to spread fear, mislead residents and tarnish the image of the administration.
“There are also strong indications, the government said, that opposition elements, possibly with the foreign backing, are sponsoring the unrest in a bid to discredit the Edo State Government and create chaos.”
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of lives and property, the government said it is working closely with security agencies to maintain law and order across the state. It noted that although peaceful and lawful protest is a constitutional right, violence, rioting, vandalism and looting will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
It assured residents of Ekpoma that the situation is fully under control, as peace and normalcy continue to return to the town and urged the public to ignore fake videos and unverified reports, to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.
In a related development. Governor Okpebholo has reiterated that the unrest in Ekpoma was not organised by students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing the incident as a criminal act carried out by non-students hiding around the institution to foment trouble and extort law-abiding students.
The governor stated this yesterday during a meeting with the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where issues surrounding the disturbance, arrests and security concerns were discussed at length.
He said intelligence available to government showed that the incident was orchestrated by a group identifying themselves as the “Ambrose Alli Comrade Community” made up of individuals who are no longer students but loiter around the school environment for unlawful activities.
He assured the SUG leadership that any genuine students who may have been arrested in the course of restoring order would be identified and released without delay.
“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released to the SUG President. That is a promise I made, and I will do it as quickly as possible. The protest was not theirs. In fact, it was not a protest at all; it was an avenue to loot,” he added.
He also dismissed claims of kidnapping linked to the incident, describing them as false and stage-managed to mislead the public and create ethnic tension.
“The kidnapping they are talking about is fake. It was stage-managed. They were arranging to kidnap and release themselves. They even went as far as killing someone, which is the most painful part,” he said
Governor Okpebholo condemned the burning of markets and destruction of property in Ekpoma, warning that anyone, regardless of political affiliation, found sponsoring or using hoodlums to destabilise Edo communities would be brought to justice.
“I don’t care whether you are a politician or not. If you are using people to destroy our land and economy, we will go after you. We know ourselves, and we will bring those responsible to book to ensure justice for our people,” he added.
He emphasised that the state government has nothing against AAU students, stressing that the institution remains closed and that there were no arrests within the university campus.
Reaffirming the students’ position, the SUG President of Ambrose Alli University, Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael, said it was unfortunate that attempts were being made to link the unrest to the student community.
“It is pitiable that some people want to associate what happened with students. We are here to formally debunk that students did not organise any protest. His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, has been in touch with us and has assured us that any students among those arrested will be released,” the SUG President stated.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Andrew Eromonsele, confirmed that no arrests were made within the university campus, further distancing the institution from the unrest.
The meeting was also attended by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting students, restoring peace in Ekpoma, and ensuring that criminal elements exploiting the university environment are decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.
•Gov orders release of AAU students
Governor Okpebholo has deployed the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, to Ubiaja Correctional Centre to facilitate the release of the students who were among 52 persons arrested and subsequently remanded to the Centre by a Benin High Court.
Dr. Iyamu told journalists at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, that bona fide students of AAU would walk home free after all processes were perfected.
He said last week’s violent protest in Ekpoma was orchestrated by a group identified as the ‘Comrade Association, disclosing that the Comrade Association was composed of former students who used any opportunity to latch on to cause mayhem.
“There is a lot of misinformation going around especially on social media. I wonder how a protest will occur without the authorisation of the Student Union Government. The school is not in session and the students were not involved,” Dr. Iyamu said.
• Okpebholo visits fire scene, promises to rebuild burnt shops
Governor Okpebholo, on Monday evening visited Ekpoma to assess the damage caused by the overnight fire that razed several shops constructed by the Police Officers Wives Association assuring the affected traders of swift government intervention and renewed security action.
The governor described the incident as disturbing and linked it to ongoing acts of violence and sabotage in the area.
Speaking directly to shop owners at the scene, the governor said he felt deeply pained by the development, noting that recent events in Ekpoma point to a pattern of coordinated attacks.
“A lot of things are happening here now. But we are going after them”, he said.
The governor dismissed claims that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen, insisting they were political elements bent on destabilising 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.”
The governor added that the burning of the shops followed the same pattern as previous incidents, warning that those behind the acts would not know peace, regardless of their status or influence.
“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, I will not listen to anybody when the time comes.
“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,” Governor Okpebholo stressed.
He was accompanied on the visit by top government officials including the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Ebea Festus Odianosen, Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika and Commander of the 4-Brigade Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Olatunboju
Two of the shop owners, Mr. Israel Ughulu and Prof. Aghemelo Austin Thomas, who spoke on behalf of the victims, said they felt victimised over an issue they knew nothing about.
Mr. Ughulu explained that the fire started around midnight and spread rapidly, leaving them helpless.
“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 had occurred about two years earlier on the other side of the shops without such high-level attention.
Large crowds gathered as the governor toured the affected area, with residents commending the prompt response and assurances given by the state government.
In a major relief to the victims, Okpebholo announced that reconstruction of the affected shops would begin within the week. He urged the traders to remain calm, assuring them that government support would go 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 will return to your shops without going to borrow from the bank,” he said.
