Last Weekend, the university town of Ekpoma in Esan West local government area of Edo State erupted in anger as students, youths, and residents took to the streets to protest the rising wave of insecurity. What began as a peaceful demonstration degenerated into looting, vandalism, and the arrest of about 52 students from Ambrose Alli University, raising alarm across the nation and prompting swift intervention by the Edo State Government. In this report, PATRICK OCHOGA delves into what transpired.
Ekpoma, home to Ambrose Alli University, has long been known for its vibrant academic life, bustling markets, and deep-rooted cultural traditions. But months of kidnappings, armed robberies, and sporadic killings had left students, traders, commuters, and landlords living in fear.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that for several months, Ekpoma and its surrounding communities had been living under the shadow of fear. Kidnappings, armed robberies, and sporadic killings had become disturbingly frequent, with attacks often occurring along isolated roads and in nearby forests.
Parents worried for the safety of their children, while residents appealed to authorities to step up security measures. Sadly, before the appeal could get to the authorities, a violent protest that left properties worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed and a community traumatised
erupted.
The protest reflected pent-up frustration and a desperate plea for protection in a town that was once considered relatively safe.
The demonstration began peacefully, with marchers raising placards reading “We Want Safety” and “Stop the Killings” as they moved through major streets. However, as the crowd grew, hoodlums reportedly infiltrated the protest, hijacking its original purpose. Chaos ensued, with shops looted, billboards smashed, and passersby attacked. What started as a civic expression of concern over insecurity quickly spiraled into violence.
The unrest reached a climax when the mob stormed the palace of the Onogie of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Anthony Ehizogie Abumere, vandalising property and looting valuables. Vehicles and goods, including items belonging to the Onogie’s family, were destroyed. Residents described the attack on the palace, a symbol of cultural unity as unprecedented. Intervention by anti-cult security operatives prevented further destruction and possible loss of lives.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the protest turned violent, with demonstrators attacking passersby, smashing billboards, and looting shops. “The situation escalated sharply when the mob forcefully invaded the palace of the Onogie of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Anthony Ehizogie Abumere, violating what the community considers sacred ground.Mr. Osas Esahgbe said. ”
Another eyewitness, Tony Imoni, explained that the invasion marked a turning point in the unrest. “Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed or stolen, vehicles parked within the palace grounds had their windscreens shattered, and business goods belonging to the Onogie’s wife were looted.’
Residents described the attack on the traditional institution long revered as a symbol of unity and cultural authorityas unprecedented. The Onogie, who was away during the incident, later expressed deep sorrow, lamenting that a protest meant to demand safety had itself become an instrument of insecurity.
Imeda Egbe said, “the violence could have escalated further and possibly claimed lives if not for the timely intervention of anti-cult security operatives, whose presence helped disperse the mob and prevent additional destruction.
LEADERSHIP also spoke to some business owners who recounted their ordeal.
Mr. Osagie Igbinovia, who hawks electronics in Ekpoma market, recounted how looters destroyed shelves and carted away goods worth over two million naira. “Everything I worked for is gone in a matter of minutes,” he lamented, adding that the shock of the attack left him fearing for his family’s safety.
Another victim, Mrs. Peace who runs a a restaurant near the university, said hoodlums smashed windows and stole merchandise, leaving her business in ruins. “I had just cooked ; now I don’t know how I’ll recover,” she said, her voice trembling with frustration.
A motorist, Mr. Emeka Osahon, narrowly escaped disaster when protesters almost set fire to his vehicle near the palace ground. “My car was almost burnt, and I only managed to drive it away at the last minute,” he recounted, adding that the incident has left him wary of driving through Ekpoma at night.
Even small business owners were not spared as many of them who sells foodstuffs along a major street, said their stall were looted, and goods worth hundreds of thousands of naira were destroyed. “We all live in fear now; you never know who might come next,” they said, reflecting the widespread sense of vulnerability among residents.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that as news of the unrest spread, in a swift response, the Edo State Government acted decisively. Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside top security officials, moved swiftly to Ekpoma, coordinating police, army, and civil defense personnel to restore calm. Fifty-two (52) suspects, including some students, were arrested in connection with the violence, while innocent participants were released following dialogue with university representatives.
By Tuesday, the town had returned to normalcy, with businesses reopening and students resuming classes, highlighting the impact of timely government action in quelling unrest.
The commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, personally oversaw a heavy deployment of security personnel to Ekpoma, joined by Brigadier General Ahmed Olatunboju Balogun, Commander of the Mechanised 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. Together, they coordinated joint operations involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, NSCDC, Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters to restore order and prevent further violence.
Security patrols were deployed across major streets, flashpoints, and surrounding communities, a show of force aimed at restoring calm and preventing criminal elements from exploiting the unrest. In the aftermath, security agencies launched investigations into the violence and looting, arresting a total of 52 suspects, including some students of Ambrose Alli University, on charges ranging from vandalism and looting to assault and rioting.
Many of the students were reportedly picked up from off-campus hostels in the early hours of Monday and transported in police vans to Benin City, where they were arraigned before a High Court. The court ordered that the suspects be remanded, a decision that sparked concern among parents, students, and civil society groups. Relatives were seen loitering anxiously outside the court, while journalists were barred from accessing the proceedings due to tight security.
The Edo State Police Command, however, maintained that only those involved in violent acts were arrested. Police public relations officer , ASP Eno Ikoedem dismissed claims circulating on social media that peaceful protesters were targeted, insisting that law-abiding demonstrators were asked to return home safely.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the incident reignited debates about insecurity in Edo Central Senatorial District. Mr. Iyere Sunday, President of the Esan Akhugbe Otiti socio-cultural group, openly challenged the Edo State commissioner of Police to explain the persistent kidnapping cases in Esan land.
Iyere acknowledged that the Edo State Government, under Governor Okpebholo, had shown strong political will by investing heavily in security, citing the donation of patrol vehicles and motorcycles, the launch of Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, and the recruitment of over 2,500 vigilante operatives into the Edo State Security Corps. Yet, he argued that the continued insecurity raised serious questions about the implementation and operational effectiveness of security agencies, stressing that ensuring safety is a collective responsibility.
Amid the tension, Governor Okpebholo adopted a conciliatory and pragmatic approach. He met with representatives of the Ambrose Alli University Students’ Union Government (SUG), listened to their concerns, and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the arrests, signaling a commitment to dialogue and de-escalation.
Following the engagement, Governor Okpebholo ordered the release of students and other suspects found to be innocent. The decision was widely welcomed by the university community and parents, who praised the governor for balancing law enforcement with fairness and dialogue. The move significantly reduced tension in Ekpoma, restored confidence among students, and reinforced the message that government intervention was aimed at preventing violence and criminality rather than silencing legitimate grievances.
The governor later visited the palace of the Onogie of Ekpoma to condemn the destruction of property.
The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to protecting cultural heritage and supporting community leadership. By Tuesday, calm had largely returned to Ekpoma: businesses reopened, vehicular movement resumed, and students returned to lectures.
Security patrols remained in place, with assurances from both the state government and security agencies that sustained efforts would continue to tackle kidnapping and violent crime. While the rapid response helped prevent further escalation, residents emphasized the need for proactive and consistent measures to prevent a recurrence of such unrest. Community leaders and residents alike urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, increase night patrols, and improve engagement with local youth to address underlying frustrations before they spill over into violence.
Governor Okpebholo’s prompt relocation to the troubled community, hands-on coordination with security agencies, and willingness to engage stakeholders were widely credited with restoring peace. Yet the Ekpoma incident serves as a reminder that tackling insecurity requires not only swift response during crises but also ongoing preventive strategies, collaboration with local communities, and visible accountability from security agencies.
Even as news of fresh attacks continues to spread, LEADERSHIP Sunday emphasises that, as Ekpoma slowly recovers, the unrest highlights the delicate balance between law enforcement and community trust, and the need for sustained vigilance to ensure that the town, its students, and residents can return to a safe and secure environment.
