Edo Postpones School Resumption as Tension Rises

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Edo State Government has postponed the resumption date of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District as tension rose in the state.

The senatorial district, which is the region of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has witnessed a couple of security crises recently, including the arrest of over 50 students.

In a statement on Monday, the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Paddy Iyamu, said the postponement was until further notice, to enable the state government address prevailing exigencies and improve the welfare and safety of pupils.

“The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” the Commissioner said.

“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”

The development was after last Saturday’s peaceful protest over insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, which turned violent.

According to reports, certain actors hijacked the protest, blocked a major highway, disrupted commercial activities, and attacked traders at the livestock market, where goats were killed and cows beaten, scenes captured in viral videos.

The attackers also invaded and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Mr Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.

On Monday, the governor, accompanied by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and others, visited the palace to assess the level of destruction.

Several vehicles, canopies, chairs, doors, and windows were damaged, while goods belonging to the monarch’s wife were also destroyed.

Describing the invasion as criminal and unacceptable, Mr Okpebholo said protests must never be used as a cover for lawlessness.

The governor disclosed that a security meeting had been held earlier with a strong focus on Edo Central, particularly the Ekpoma axis, noting that strategic, technology-driven security operations had been deployed.

On social media, a lot of Nigerians have condemned the actions of the government, saying innocent people have been arrested.