By Ayodele Oni
The Edo State Government has pointed accusing fingers at some indigenes of the state resident abroad for being behind the recent bloody protest at the University town of Ekpoma.
The protest, triggered by continuous kidnappings in the town, led to the destruction of valuable properties including the Monarch’s palace.
Police had on Monday arraigned 52 suspects in connection with the incident with the court ordering their Remand at Correction centre till next month.
In a statement on Tuesday, the state government, dismissed circulating claims of a protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, insisting that the incident was a coordinated riot allegedly sponsored by individuals operating from abroad.
In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebojele, stated that the government described several viral social media reports as false, misleading and part of a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state.
It said investigations by security agencies revealed that the violence was orchestrated by a Nigerian resident in Russia, alongside other collaborators overseas, who allegedly provided funding and coordination from the diaspora.
According to the government, the sponsors contacted individuals within Ekpoma to organise riots not only in the town, but also in Auchi, Irrua and even around the Government House in Benin City.
“The state government firmly denied claims that those arrested in connection with the violence were students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.
“It clarified that AAU is currently closed and that all students had vacated the hostels long before the incident occurred.
“Officials explained that those arrested were intercepted while allegedly moving towards the university to vandalise property, while others were identified through viral videos showing acts of arson and destruction during the riot.
“The suspects arrested are rioters, not peaceful protesters,” the government stated, adding that the arrests were based on clear evidence, including video footage.
It also stressed that the incident has no connection with AAU students or the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The government further debunked another video circulating online and tagged as a kidnapping incident in Ekpoma, describing it as a gross misrepresentation aimed at spreading fear and damaging the image of the administration.
There were also indications, the government said, that opposition elements, possibly with foreign backing, are sponsoring the unrest to discredit the Edo State Government and create chaos.
While reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, the state assured residents that it is working closely with security agencies to maintain law and order.
It acknowledged that peaceful protest remains a constitutional right but warned that violence, vandalism, rioting and looting would not be tolerated.
Residents of Ekpoma were assured that the situation is under control, with peace and normalcy gradually returning to the town. The public was urged to ignore fake videos and unverified reports and to continue with their lawful activities.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has condemned the handling of the worsening insecurity in Ekpoma and environs, describing it as a combination of incompetence, indifference, and authoritarian reflexes.
The PDP said Ekpoma has been abandoned to kidnappers and violent criminals, with residents living in fear as attacks escalated unchecked.
The party accused the Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of having no credible security strategy, noting that instead of confronting criminal gangs through intelligence-led policing and coordinated action, the APC government had chosen the easier but disgraceful option of unleashing state power against unarmed, peaceful citizens.
According to the party, “the arrest and continued detention of peaceful protesters, many of them students, exposed true character of the APC government in Edo State: brutal towards citizens, timid before criminals, and hostile to democratic expression.
“It was unequivocally opposed to kidnapping and killings in all their forms and demanded the immediate dismantling of criminal networks operating freely across Ekpoma and neighbouring communities.
“It said the persistence of these crimes was a direct indictment of the APC government’s failure to govern,” the party added.
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