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The Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 2, has ordered the remand of several youths arrested during the Ekpoma protest to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
The court agreed to the prosecution’s request for a 14-day remand period.
Scenes of grief unfolded at the courthouse as some demonstrators and their relatives broke down in tears while authorities moved the accused into a waiting vehicle.
Angry youths had staged the protest last weekend to express frustration over the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in Ekpoma, located in the Esan West Local Government Area.
Viral footage from Edo Central showed residents demonstrating against kidnappings and killings, while some individuals believed to be cattle breeders fled a market on sighting the protesters.
The police said they intervened swiftly after the protest was hijacked.
In a statement issued on Sunday, January 11, the command said the Area Commander in Ekpoma mobilised officers, alongside other security agencies, to ensure the protest remained peaceful and lawful.
However, the police said the situation deteriorated after some participants ignored the rules of peaceful protest, leading to vandalism, looting, and destruction of property.
The statement also confirmed that military personnel discharged a firearm during the chaos, injuring a protester.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, led additional tactical teams from the state headquarters in Benin to Ekpoma to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The police said coordinated deployments and professional crowd control measures quickly returned calm to the area.
According to the police, officers identified and arrested those involved in violence, vandalism, and looting, while investigations continue to ensure all responsible persons face prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police also visited 32-year-old Osagie Abraham, who sustained a gunshot injury during the protest and is receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ekpoma.
He ordered a full investigation into the shooting, hinting that authorities had identified the military personnel involved and notified the appropriate military command for disciplinary action.
While reaffirming citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest, the police warned that demonstrations must remain lawful and must not endanger lives or property.
The command also assured residents that it had intensified intelligence-led operations, patrols and targeted interventions to curb kidnapping across Edo State, including Ekpoma.
Meanwhile, concerns persist among residents over the presence of herders accused of settling deep within communities and attacking villagers.
The convener of the Esan Worldwide Community, Aigbokhan Oseremen, urged the state government to require permits for outsiders seeking to live in rural areas, alleging that some herders pose serious security threats.
Responding, the Edo State Government said it would address the issue soon.
The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi, said authorities were implementing technology-driven strategies to identify and dislodge criminal elements from forests, assuring residents that the measures would yield results shortly.
