By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Monday visited the scene of an overnight fire outbreak that destroyed several shops built by the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) in Ekoma, promising swift government intervention and decisive action against those responsible.
Governor Okpebholo, who was accompanied by top government officials, including the Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the 4th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, described the incident as disturbing, linking the fire outbreak to what he called clear patterns of coordinated violence and deliberate sabotage in the area.
The governor dismissed claims that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the attack, insisting that the perpetrators were political elements already being tracked and arrested by security agencies.
“For me, I felt very bad when I heard this news this morning. A lot of things are happening here now, but we are going after them. They are killing our people using the name of Fulani attacks. They are not Fulanis. They are political elements,” Governor Okpebholo said.
He warned that no individual would be spared, regardless of status or political influence.
“I will go after them, I am serious. We have started arresting them. The burning of these shops is by the same people. There is nothing to fear. Our people will not suffer for nothing. No matter how highly placed they are, even if they are my father, nobody will be spared,” he declared.
Governor Okpebholo assured residents that peace would be restored to the area, stressing that Edo State would not be allowed to descend into lawlessness.
In a major relief to the affected traders, the governor announced that reconstruction of the destroyed shops would commence immediately, assuring that government would support victims to return to business without financial hardship.
“I want you people to be patient. Between now and Friday, contractors will come and start rebuilding this place. After construction, we will take inventory so that you can return to your shops without borrowing money from banks,” he assured.
Earlier, two of the affected shop owners, Mr. Israel Oholu and Professor Aramilu Austin Thomas, who spoke on behalf of the victims, expressed deep frustration and emotional distress over the incident.
“Before the fire, we were helpless. We watched our property burn this morning with no help. The goods and commodities inside these shops are too many to even estimate. If we start counting them, we will only end up shedding tears,” they lamented.
They noted that the victims were targeted over issues they had no knowledge of and called on the government to ensure lasting security and justice.
Security agencies at the scene assured the governor that investigations were ongoing, with intensified patrols and arrests aimed at dismantling those behind the attacks.
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