Edo: Ekpoma residents hold counter protest, rally behind Okpebholo, applaud security response

Some residents of Ekpoma, Esan South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful solidarity protest in support of Governor Monday Okpebholo, praising his handling of security challenges and the recent unrest in the university town.

The demonstration followed days of tension after violent protests, allegedly over insecurity, degenerated into arson and destruction of property, including markets and shops. On Tuesday, however, residents trooped out in large numbers, marching through major streets and market areas with placards expressing confidence in the governor and calling for peace and stability in Ekpoma.

The protesters later converged on the Esan West Local Government Secretariat, where they were received by the council chairman, Mr. Blessing Ebhodaghe. Hee commended the residents for what he described as a responsible and orderly show of support, assuring them that the local government, in collaboration with the state government and security agencies, would ensure that those who sponsored or carried out the violence were identified and brought to justice.

Ebhodaghe said the earlier protest was hijacked by criminal elements, stressing that Ekpoma should not be allowed to descend into chaos under the guise of agitation. She urged residents to continue supporting lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace and improving security.

The solidarity protest came on the heels of Governor Okpebholo’s directive ordering the release of innocent students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested during security operations following the violence. The governor’s intervention followed public outcry over the arrest and remand of 52 suspects at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre by a Benin City court.

Speaking during a meeting with the President of the AAU Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael, Governor Okpebholo said intelligence reports showed that the incident was not a students’ protest. He explained that the violence was orchestrated by a group operating under the name “Ambrose Alli Comrade Community,” largely made up of former students and non-students who loiter around the university environment and engage in unlawful activities.

“This was never a students’ protest,” the governor said. “These are people who are no longer students but hang around the school, extorting students and causing trouble. We will stop that.”

Okpebholo assured the SUG leadership that any genuine students who might have been arrested in the process of restoring order would be identified and released promptly. He also dismissed reports that kidnappings in Ekpoma triggered the unrest, describing such claims as false and deliberately stage-managed to mislead the public and inflame tensions.

The governor strongly condemned the burning of markets and destruction of property, warning that anyone, regardless of political affiliation, found sponsoring hoodlums or attempting to destabilise Edo communities would face prosecution.

Reinforcing the governor’s position, SUG President Michael said students were not responsible for the violence, noting that the university was not in session at the time. He welcomed the governor’s assurance on the release of any students wrongly arrested.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of AAU, Prof. Andrew Eromonsele, also confirmed that no arrests were made within the university campus, further distancing the institution from the unrest.