Edo State Governor, Monday 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 (POWA), 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 stated.
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,” he stated.
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.
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“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,” he warned.
The governor was accompanied by some top government officials, including the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Ebea Odianosen; the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and the Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Olatunboju, among others
Earlier, two of the shop owners, Mr. Israel Ughulu and Prof. Aghemelo 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 12 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.
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, Gov. 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.
