Edo Burnt Shops: Governor Okpebholo Pledges Rebuilding After Ekpoma Fire Disaster

By: Abudu Olalekan

Edo burnt shops at Ekpoma Police Division will be reconstructed by the state government, Governor Okpebholo assures affected traders during visit.

It was a devastating sight. Shops reduced to ashes. Traders left with nothing. But Governor Monday Okpebholo showed up. And he made a promise.

The Edo State Governor visited the Ekpoma Police Division on Tuesday to see the damage for himself. Fire had destroyed several shops there. These weren’t just any shops. The Police Officers’ Wives Association had built them. Now they were gone.

According to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Okpebholo assured the affected traders that government intervention would come swiftly. He also promised renewed security action in the area.

Standing right there with the shop owners, the governor didn’t hide his emotions. He said he felt deeply pained by what happened. But he also noticed something troubling. Recent events in Ekpoma seemed to follow a pattern. Like someone was coordinating these attacks.

“A lot of things are happening here now. But we are going after them,” he declared.

Then he addressed the elephant in the room. Some people had blamed Fulani herdsmen for the attacks. Okpebholo wasn’t buying it.

“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 said firmly.

The governor wasn’t done. He wanted everyone to understand that nobody would escape justice. Not this time.

“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,” he warned.

Then he dropped a bombshell. “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.”

Strong words. The crowd listened.

Accompanying the governor were some top officials. The Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen was there. So was the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika. The Commander of 4-Brigade Nigerian Army, General Ahmed Olatunboju, also came along. This was serious business.

Before the governor spoke, two shop owners shared their painful experience. Mr. Israel Ughulu and Prof. Aghemelo Austin Thomas represented the victims. They said they felt victimised over something they knew absolutely nothing about.

Ughulu’s account was heartbreaking.

“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 narrated.

The shop owners also mentioned something interesting. A similar fire incident had occurred about two years ago on the other side of the building. But no governor visited then. This time was different. They appreciated the high-level attention.

Large crowds gathered as Okpebholo toured the scene. Residents were impressed. They praised the government’s quick response and the assurances being given.

Then came the biggest announcement. The governor said reconstruction would start within the week. Yes, that fast.

“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 promised.

That last part was crucial. The traders wouldn’t just get new shops. They would get support to restock without running to banks for loans.

But let’s step back a little. This whole situation didn’t just happen out of nowhere.

The zone had been experiencing serious crisis. It started on Saturday when residents in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, staged a peaceful protest. They were angry about rising insecurity. Kidnappings had become too common. A youth was even killed on Friday night. So they blocked a major highway to express their frustration.

But things went sideways. Hoodlums hijacked the protest. They attacked traders at the livestock market. Goats were killed. Cows were beaten. Someone recorded it all and the video went viral.

The violence didn’t stop there. The attackers vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II. Governor Okpebholo condemned that act strongly.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, one person was shot by a soldier during the chaos. That case has been referred to military authorities for investigation.

So the fire at the police station shops happened against this backdrop of tension and violence. The whole community is on edge. But at least now, the affected traders have hope. The governor came. He saw. And he promised action.

Whether those promises will be kept, only time will tell.