Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State 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.
Newsbuka reports that residents of Ekpoma had staged a peaceful protest on Saturday over rising insecurity and repeated cases of kidnapping.
It was gathered that the demonstration was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed violence across the town.
Newsbuka gathered that the attackers chased traders away from the livestock market, killed goats and vandalised parts of the Onojie’s palace just as the protest also led to the blockage of a major highway, crippling commercial activities in the area.
Governor Okpebholo after visiting the palace to assess the extent of the damage, called for calm.
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.
During his visit, governor Okpebholo 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.
While describing the invasion and looting as criminal acts, Governor Okpebholo warned that protests must not be used as a cover for lawlessness.
The Governor 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.
Okpebholo warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice, emphasising his personal ties to the area.
The Governor assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations would soon be carried out, emphasising that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
Earlier, the Onojie described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
He explained that he initially attempted to address the protesters when they arrived but was prevented from doing so.
Gov Okpebholo Condemns Attack on Palace of Onojie of Ekpoma
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