Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has accused sponsors based outside Nigeria of fuelling the violent unrest in Ekpoma, as the state grapples with a wave of kidnappings and growing public concern over insecurity.
The state government on Tuesday dismissed reports describing the Ekpoma incident as a protest, insisting it was a coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state. In a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the government alleged that the violence was “well-organised and sponsored by a Nigerian resident in Russia and other overseas locations.”
According to the statement, security agencies traced funding and coordination of the unrest to diaspora-based sponsors who allegedly mobilised individuals to carry out attacks in Ekpoma, Auchi, Irrua and around the Government House in Benin City. Several suspects have been arrested, with video evidence said to link them to arson, vandalism and other acts of violence.
“The suspects arrested are rioters, not peaceful protesters,” the government said, rejecting claims that students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, were involved. It stressed that the university is currently closed and that no arrests were made inside student hostels.
The violence followed the kidnapping and killing of a young man in Ekpoma on Friday, January 9, 2026, an incident that sparked anger and fear in the university town. Residents initially staged a peaceful protest over rising insecurity, but the demonstration was later hijacked by hoodlums.
During the unrest, a major highway was blocked, traders at the Ekpoma livestock market were attacked, animals were killed and shops vandalised. The palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, was also attacked, drawing condemnation from the state government.
Reacting to the killing, Governor Okpebholo expressed sorrow and extended condolences to the victim’s family and the Ekpoma community. He said he had directed security agencies to intensify operations in the area to prevent further incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.
As part of security measures, the Edo State Police Command announced a reorganisation of the Ekpoma Division, with CSP Tomofe Nwabueze posted as the new Divisional Police Officer. The police also confirmed that one person was shot by a soldier during the unrest, noting that the incident had been referred to military authorities.
Meanwhile, tension has spread to Edo North following the abduction of eight residents of Imoga community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. The victims were kidnapped on Friday night at a hotel along the Imoga–Ibillo Road, with the abductors initially demanding N100 million as ransom.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, said the attackers posed as guests before seizing phones, tying up the victims and marching them into the bush. He disclosed that the ransom demand had since been reduced to N70 million, with one of the victims sustaining a gunshot injury while attempting to escape.
The latest incident comes amid a spike in kidnappings across Edo State, deepening public anxiety and intensifying calls for sustained action to restore security.
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