The Edo State Government has postponed the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District until further notice, citing recent security concerns in the area.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, said the decision was made to allow the government address the “prevailing exigencies” in the district and ensure the welfare and safety of pupils. “The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” he said. Parents, guardians and education stakeholders were urged to comply.
Edo Central, which is the home district of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has in recent days experienced heightened tension following a peaceful protest in Ekpoma over insecurity and kidnapping that was later hijacked by hoodlums. The protest escalated into violence as attackers blocked a major highway, disrupted commercial activities and stormed a livestock market where goats were killed and cows beaten, scenes that circulated widely online.
The attackers also invaded and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, prompting widespread condemnation. Governor Okpebholo denounced the act as criminal, stating that protests must not be used as a licence for lawlessness. On Monday, he visited the palace alongside senior officials, including the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and party leaders to assess the damage. Several vehicles, canopies, chairs, doors, windows and goods belonging to the monarch’s wife were destroyed.
The governor disclosed that the state security council had met earlier with a focus on Edo Central, particularly the Ekpoma axis, and said technology-driven security operations had been deployed to maintain order.
