The Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 2, has ordered the remand of 52 youths in connection with the protest that disrupted Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, over rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity.
The youths, most of whom are believed to be students of Ambrose Alli University, took to the streets on Saturday, January 10, to express their frustration over the growing wave of abductions in the Edo Central region.
What began as a peaceful demonstration, however, degenerated into unrest, during which several properties, including the palace of the traditional ruler, were damaged. Footage of the incident later circulated widely on social media.
The police subsequently intervened, claiming that the protest was infiltrated by criminal elements who turned it violent.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the police said the protest was “hijacked” and no longer conducted in line with the rules of peaceful assembly.
“Regrettably, the protest was hijacked, and all the rules of peaceful protest were ignored, leading to incidents including malicious damage, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as a military personnel discharging firearms at a protester,” the statement said.
Police authorities added that individuals involved in acts of violence, vandalism and looting were identified and arrested, while investigations were continuing to ensure that all those responsible would face justice.
The 52 suspects were arraigned on Monday, January 12, before the State High Court, which ordered that they be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre pending further proceedings. The matter was adjourned to February 26.
Emotional scenes played out at the court premises as relatives, including parents and guardians, struggled to hand over food, drinks, water and money to the detainees as they were taken away in a Black Maria vehicle to Ubiaja.
Some of the suspects claimed they were arrested from their homes by security operatives during the night and in the early hours of Sunday, after which they were taken directly to the state police command headquarters before being charged to court.
