Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Government of Edo State has postponed the resumption date for all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District following the recent outbreak of violence in parts of the zone.
It was reported that the postponement was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, who said the decision was taken to allow the state government to address pressing exigencies and improve the welfare and safety of pupils.
In a statement, Iyamu said the suspension of resumption would remain in force until further notice.
“The postponement is till further notice to enable the state to address some exigencies to improve the welfare of the pupils.
The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” he said.
He urged parents, guardians and other education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District to take note of the development and comply accordingly.
“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly,” the commissioner added.
Edo Central has been thrown into tension following a crisis that erupted on Saturday after a peaceful protest against insecurity turned violent in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
Residents had staged the protest to express concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and the killing of a youth on Friday night. During the protest, demonstrators blocked a major highway to draw attention to their grievances.
However, the demonstration was later hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders at the livestock market. Eyewitnesses said goats were slaughtered and cows beaten, scenes that were later captured in a viral video that circulated widely on social media.
The attackers were also reported to have vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an action that drew condemnation from Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Confirming developments, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said one person was shot by a soldier during the unrest.
He added that the incident had been referred to military authorities for further investigation.
The violence caused panic in the area, forcing residents and traders to flee, while security agencies were later deployed to restore calm.
As tension continues to linger in the affected communities, the state government said the suspension of school resumption was a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of students, teachers and school administrators.
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