Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has firmly rejected assertions that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for a recent kidnapping incident in Ekpoma. The governor made this clarification during a meeting with the traditional ruler of the community.
Governor Cites CCTV Evidence to Dispute Ethnic Claims
Speaking with His Royal Highness, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, on Monday, January 12, Governor Okpebholo presented a critical detail from the investigation. He stated that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the scene revealed the assailants had their faces covered.
"The people that kidnapped this guy masked their faces. That is not the traditional way of Fulanis," the governor asserted, challenging the initial narrative that had been circulating.
Protest Hijacked by Hoodlums, Leading to Vandalism
Governor Okpebholo further detailed the troubling aftermath of the abduction. He explained that following the kidnapping, some youths in the area organized a protest. However, this demonstration was hijacked by hoodlums, who used the opportunity to cause chaos.
"The next day, they came up with sentiments, protest, looting. This is not acceptable," he said, condemning the acts of vandalism and destruction of properties that ensued.
A Vow to Pursue and Prosecute the Perpetrators
The governor concluded his remarks with a strong commitment to ensuring justice. He emphasized the resolve of his administration to track down those responsible for both the initial crime and the subsequent violence.
"We must make sure we bring these people to book. We must go after them," Governor Okpebholo declared, underscoring a zero-tolerance stance towards criminality in Edo State.
The meeting was part of efforts to address security concerns and maintain peace in the Ekpoma community following the unsettling events.
