By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has blamed political elements for the recent violence and protests in Ekpoma, dismissing claims that Fulani herdsmen were responsible.
During a visit to the fire scene where several shops were razed, Okpebholo assured swift government intervention and renewed security action.
”The attackers are not Fulanis, they are political elements bent on destabilising the area,” he stated. The governor warned that those behind the acts would be brought to justice, regardless of their status or influence.
”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,” Okpebholo emphasized.
The governor announced that reconstruction of the affected shops would begin within the week and urged traders to remain calm, assuring them of government support.
Earlier, 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.
He said, “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,”
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.
The governor, was accompanied by some top government officials including the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen; the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika; the Commander of the 4-Brigade Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Olatunboju among others
