The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said that the 52 people arrested in Ekpoma, Edo State, were taken into custody for alleged acts of looting and vandalism, not for taking part in a peaceful protest.
The arrests followed a demonstration in Esan West Local Government Area in early January, during which residents; mainly youths marched to voice concerns over growing insecurity and repeated cases of kidnapping in the area. According to police accounts, the protest initially remained peaceful before it escalated into violence, leading to widespread looting and destruction of property.
Police said several shops were ransacked, while public and private property were damaged, including the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma. Addressing the issue during a national broadcast on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the police chief maintained that the right to peaceful protest is protected under the law and that law enforcement does not target citizens solely for exercising that right.
Egbetokun, however, warned that criminal acts carried out under the guise of protest would not be tolerated, stressing that individuals involved in theft, vandalism, or destruction of property would be arrested and prosecuted. He added that those detained were suspected to have played active roles in the violence that followed the protest.
The suspects were later arraigned before a Federal High Court in Edo State, which ordered their remand at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre on charges including malicious damage and armed robbery.
Student bodies, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), subsequently confirmed that the detained youths have since been released. The groups noted that many of those arrested were students of Ambrose Alli University, alongside other residents of the community.
Authorities and community leaders have since called for calm and dialogue, urging residents to pursue lawful avenues in addressing security concerns while efforts continue to prevent a recurrence of violence.
Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.
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