Ekpoma Erupts in Violence Over Growing Insecurity as Council Enforces Okada Ban

A violent protest on Saturday unsettled the university town of Ekpomia in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, as residents took to the streets to express outrage over what they described as escalating cases of kidnapping and general insecurity.

Although the demonstration reportedly started as a peaceful protest, it later turned violent when hoodlums infiltrated the gathering. The miscreants attacked passersby, vandalised billboards, and eventually stormed the palace of the traditional ruler of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Anthony Abumere.
During the unrest, properties estimated to be worth millions of naira were destroyed, while several items were looted after the attackers forcefully gained entry into the palace. Vehicles parked within the palace compound had their windscreens smashed, and business items belonging to the wife of the Onogie of Ekpoma were damaged and carted away.
Eyewitnesses said the situation could have worsened if not for the swift intervention of anti-cult security operatives, whose timely response prevented further destruction and possible loss of lives.
Following the incident, the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Blessing Eghodahe, visited the palace and strongly condemned the violent acts. He described the attack as regrettable, appealed for calm, and assured residents that concrete measures would be taken to address the security concerns and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The council chairman also disclosed that security agencies in the area had been directed to strictly enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada. He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing laws.
The Onogie of Ekpoma, who was away from the palace at the time of the attack, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, lamenting the scale of damage inflicted on the palace, his family, and their properties.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has expressed concern over the protest, which disrupted vehicular movement across Ekpoma town. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, while acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to protest, stressed that addressing security challenges requires calm, coordination, and constructive engagement.
He cautioned that road blockages and uncoordinated protests could hinder security operations and expose residents to greater risks, warning that such actions might also divert security agencies from ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities. The state government therefore urged residents to refrain from actions capable of undermining public safety.