… Debunk social media reports of station fire in Ekpoma
BENIN CITY: The Edo State Police Command has restored normalcy in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, following a protest that degenerated into violence, leading to vandalism, looting and the shooting of a protester.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, fdc, personally led reinforcement operations to the area after the protest was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in a breakdown of law and order.
According to the police, intelligence reports had earlier indicated plans for a protest in the university town, prompting the Commissioner of Police to visit Ekpoma on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as part of preventive policing measures.
During the visit, Agbonika, alongside the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer, held a stakeholders’ meeting with community leaders, student representatives and other interest groups to address grievances and encourage peaceful conduct.
However, when the protest commenced on Friday, the situation reportedly escalated despite the immediate deployment of police personnel in collaboration with other security agencies.
The command said the protest was hijacked, leading to acts of vandalism, destruction of property and looting of shops. During the unrest, a military personnel allegedly discharged a firearm, injuring a protester.
In response, Agbonika led additional tactical teams from the state command headquarters in Benin City to Ekpoma to restore order.
The police said coordinated deployments and crowd control measures quickly brought the situation under control, with normal activities resuming in affected areas.
The Commissioner of Police also visited the injured protester, identified as 32-year-old Osagie Abraham, who is currently receiving treatment at Eromoele Medical Centre, Ekpoma.
He ordered an immediate investigation into the shooting incident, while confirming that the military personnel involved had been identified and reported to the appropriate military authorities for disciplinary action.
The police said several individuals suspected to have engaged in violence, vandalism and looting had been arrested, with investigations ongoing to ensure all those responsible are prosecuted.
Reaffirming citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest, Agbonika warned that such actions must be carried out lawfully and without infringing on the rights and safety of others.
He also addressed residents’ concerns over kidnapping in the area, assuring that the command has intensified intelligence-led operations, patrols and targeted interventions to curb criminal activities across Edo State, including Ekpoma.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, as the police insist that peace has been fully restored.
The command also appealed for continued cooperation between the public and security agencies to sustain peace and security in the state.
Meanwhile, the Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media claiming that a police station was gutted by fire in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement on Monday, the Command clarified that no police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma, describing the viral claims as entirely untrue and deliberately crafted to misinform the public, create panic and undermine confidence in security institutions.
According to the police, the actual incident occurred late on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at about 11:30 p.m., when electricity supply was restored by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
A spark reportedly emanated from one of the shops at the Powa Shops area within the Ekpoma Division, igniting a fire that spread to several adjoining shops.
The statement said police personnel, working in collaboration with members of the public, responded swiftly to the incident and successfully contained and extinguished the fire, preventing it from escalating further.
While the value of properties destroyed by the fire has yet to be ascertained, the Command confirmed that no life was lost.
The Police Command condemned what it described as the deliberate spread of false information by individuals and content creators seeking social media attention, warning that the dissemination of unverified and sensational reports could cause public panic, economic disruption and potential security threats.
It noted that such misinformation not only misleads the public but also diverts emergency resources, damages institutional credibility and could trigger avoidable unrest.
Residents were therefore advised to always verify information from credible and official sources before sharing, especially on social media platforms.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents of Ekpoma and the general public that the security situation in the area remains calm and fully under control.
He urged citizens to remain law-abiding and to disregard unverified reports capable of inciting fear or confusion.
The Command further encouraged members of the public to rely on its official communication channels for accurate and timely information.
