A Federal High Court sitting in Edo State has remanded 52 protesters over alleged “malicious damage and armed robbery”, following a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan west Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), were taken into custody after a demonstration on Saturday turned violent, leading to the vandalisation and looting of shops and other properties.
The presiding judge, William Aziegbemi, while delivering judgment on Monday, said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He directed counsel for the defendants to file their bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.
Aziegbemi adjourned the case to February 26 for hearing and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had taken to the streets to protest the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, with demonstrators marching through major roads carrying placards and calling for government intervention.
However, the Edo police command said the protest was hijacked, resulting in malicious damage, looting, and vandalisation of property.
The palace of Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, was reportedly attacked — an act condemned by
Monday Okpebholo, governor of the state.
The police said officers were deployed, alongside other security agencies, to restore order after the violence escalated.
During the incident, military personnel reportedly discharged a firearm, injuring a 32-year-old protester, identified as Osagie Abraham.
According to the police, the injured man is receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ekpoma, while the military authorities have been notified for appropriate action against the personnel involved.
The command reiterated that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, such actions must be conducted peacefully and within the law.
The police also assured residents of intensified security operations to curb kidnapping and other crimes across the state.
The demonstration followed a surge in kidnapping incidents in the state, worsened by recent abductions and killings of doctors in the state.
