Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, following a protest over insecurity in the community.

A peaceful demonstration by residents of Ekpoma on Saturday to protest rising insecurity and cases of kidnapping was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, who turned violent and unleashed destruction across the town.

During the incident, traders at the livestock market were chased away, goats were killed, cows were beaten, and parts of the Onojie’s palace were vandalised. The protest also led to the blockage of a major highway, grounding commercial activities in the area.

On Monday, Governor Okpebholo visited the palace to assess the level of damage. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor condemned the attack, describing it as unjustifiable and criminal.

He stated that there was no excuse for invading a traditional institution under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity, stressing that protests must never degenerate into lawlessness.

The governor was accompanied by top government officials, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including the Edo Central Senatorial leader, retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, and other party stakeholders.

During the visit, the governor was taken around the palace, where he was shown vehicles vandalised within the compound, broken canopies and chairs, and damaged doors and windows. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to the Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed during the invasion.

Describing the looting and destruction as unacceptable, Okpebholo assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years,” the governor said. “Kidnapping is a serious problem across Nigeria, and that is why the President has taken bold steps, including withdrawing police from VIP duties, to strengthen the fight against insecurity.”

He revealed that a security meeting had been held earlier in the week with special focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis, adding that the state government had deployed strategic, technology-driven security operations.

According to him, the first operation yielded results, with nine kidnapped persons rescued unhurt in Etsako West and their abductors arrested.

Governor Okpebholo warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would face the full weight of the law.

“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable and I condemn the act. We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience,” he said.

Emphasising his personal connection to the area, the governor added that he would not allow insecurity and criminality to thrive in Ekpoma and Esanland.

“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.

Earlier, the Onojie of Ekpoma described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of those involved in the violence were under the influence of illicit drugs.