The Edo State Government has announced an indefinite postponement of the resumption date for all public and private schools in the Edo Central Senatorial District following recent security disturbances in the area.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that the decision was taken to allow the government to address urgent issues affecting the safety and welfare of pupils and students.
“The postponement is to enable the state to adequately respond to prevailing exigencies and put measures in place to safeguard learners,” Iyamu said. “A new resumption date will be communicated to the public in due course.”
He urged parents, guardians, school owners, and other education stakeholders in Edo Central to take note of the development and comply with the directive.
The decision comes against the backdrop of violent unrest in the zone, particularly in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, where a protest over rising insecurity degenerated into chaos over the weekend.
Residents had taken to the streets on Saturday to protest repeated cases of kidnapping and the killing of a youth on Friday night. However, the protest later turned violent after it was allegedly hijacked by hoodlums.
During the unrest, traders at a livestock market were attacked, animals were killed, and widespread panic ensued, according to eyewitness accounts and viral videos circulating online.
The palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, HRH Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, was also vandalised, an incident strongly condemned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that one person sustained a gunshot injury allegedly fired by a soldier.
“The matter has been referred to the appropriate military authorities for investigation,” Ikoedem said.
Authorities say security has since been reinforced in the area as efforts continue to restore calm and prevent a recurrence of violence.
