The Edo State Police Command has refuted reports circulating on social media that a police station in Ekpoma was gutted by fire, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said no police facility or station was affected by fire anywhere in Ekpoma.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that no police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma,” Ikoedem said.
“The viral reports are entirely untrue and appear designed to misinform the public, create panic, and undermine confidence in security agencies.”
According to the police, the fire incident being misrepresented actually occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the POWA Shops area within the Ekpoma Division.
“The incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. when electricity supply was restored by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company. A spark reportedly came from one of the shops, triggering a fire that spread to adjoining shops,” the statement explained.
The command noted that police officers, working alongside members of the public, responded promptly and were able to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing it from escalating further.
While the extent of property damage is yet to be determined, the police confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.
The Edo Police Command condemned what it described as the deliberate spread of unverified and sensational information by some individuals and online content creators, warning that such actions could fuel public anxiety, disrupt commercial activities, and pose security threats.
“We urge members of the public to always verify information from credible and official sources before sharing,” Ikoedem added.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents of Ekpoma and the wider public that the security situation in the area remains calm and under control.
“Residents should remain law-abiding and disregard unverified reports capable of inciting fear or confusion,” Agbonika said.
The police clarification comes amid heightened tension in the university town following a separate incident a day earlier, when a peaceful protest over insecurity and kidnapping was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, leading to violence and destruction, including an attack on parts of the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
