The Edo State Police Command says reports on social media alleging that a police station in Ekpoma was gutted by fire are untrue and misleading.
The command stated that no police station or facility in Ekpoma was affected by the fire in a statement released on Monday by its spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem. It also stated that the viral claims were intended to mislead the people and instill panic.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that no Police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma.
“The viral claims are entirely untrue and calculated to misinform the public, generate panic, and undermine public confidence,” the statement read.
The incident actually happened on Sunday morning near the POWA Shops area in the Ekpoma Division, the police revealed.
“The actual incident occurred on Sunday, 11th January, 2026, at about 1130hrs, when electricity supply was restored by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and a spark reportedly emanated from one of the shops within the Powa Shops area of Ekpoma Division, igniting a fire that spread across several adjoining shops,” it said.
According to the command, police officers quickly acted to control and extinguish the fire, preventing further escalation, in collaboration with members of the public.
It further stated that no lives were lost although the worth of the damaged property is still unknown.
The police denounced the intentional dissemination of what they called unverified and sensational information by certain people and content creators, cautioning that such false information could cause public panic, interfere with business operations, and pose security risks.
The public is advised to always verify information from reliable and official sources before disseminating it.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents of Ekpoma and the general public that the security situation remained calm and under control.
He advised people to uphold the law and ignore unconfirmed claims that could cause confusion or incite fear.
The clarification comes just 24 hours after a separate incident heightened tensions in the university town.
On Saturday, hoodlums took control of a nonviolent demonstration by the residents of Ekpoma against ongoing kidnapping and insecurity, and they unleashed violence on the neighborhood.
They chased away traders at the livestock market, killed goats, beat cows, and attacked and destroyed parts of the palace of Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, denounced the actions, saying there was no need to invade a traditional institution while claiming to be voicing complaints about insecurity.
