Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, by protesters. A peaceful protest by the people of Ekpoma over insecurity and incessant kidnapping on Saturday was hijacked by hoodlums, who unleashed violence on the community.They chased away traders at the livestock market, killed goats, beat cows, and attacked and destroyed parts of the Onojie’s palace. The protest also resulted in the blockage of a major highway and the grounding of commercial activities.However, on Monday, the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, condemned the attack when he visited the palace to ascertain the level of destruction allegedly caused by the protesters. He said there was no justification for invading a traditional institution under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity. Governor Okpebholo 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, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.), and other party stakeholders.During the visit, the governor was taken around the palace and shown several items destroyed during the invasion. Vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to the Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed. Doors and windows of the palace were damaged. The governor described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness
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