Police debunk report of fire at Edo police station

Police authorities in Edo State have denied reports that a police station in Ekpoma was razed by fire, describing the claim circulating online as false and misleading. In a statement issued on Monday, January 12, the Edo State Police Command said no police facility in Ekpoma was involved in any fire incident. The Command wishes to categorically state that no Police facility or station was affected by fire in Ekpoma, Command spokesman Eno Ikoedem said. The viral claims are entirely untrue and calculated to misinform the public, generate panic, and undermine public confidence. According to the Command, the actual incident took place on Sunday morning at the POWA Shops area within the Ekpoma Division. 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, Ikoedem stated. He added that police personnel, assisted by members of the public, intervened to contain and extinguish the fire. No lives were lost, while the value of damaged property was still being assessed. The Command condemned the spread of unverified claims by individuals and content creators, warning that such misinformation could fuel panic, disrupt economic activities, and pose security risks. It urged the public to verify information from credible sources before sharing. Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika assured residents that the security situation in Ekpoma remained stable and under control, asking them to remain law-abiding and ignore unverified reports capable of inciting fear. The clarification follows heightened tension in the university town after a separate incident on Saturday, January 10, when a peaceful protest against insecurity and kidnappings was hijacked by hoodlums, leading to violence.The post Police debunk report of fire at Edo police station appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.