The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed claims that police officers arrested peaceful protesters during last week’s anti-kidnapping demonstration in Ekpoma, Edo State, insisting that those taken into custody were involved in looting and vandalism.
Egbetokun said the 52 suspects arrested were not peaceful demonstrators but individuals who hijacked the protest to commit crimes, including the destruction of public and private property.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, the police chief said security agencies were often wrongly blamed whenever violence erupted during protests.
“That’s the usual false narrative against the police. When people commit criminal offences during protests, Nigerians say we arrested peaceful protesters,” he said.
“Even when police stations are burnt, officers are murdered and weapons are stolen, the narrative is still that the police went after peaceful protesters.”
The IGP stressed that the police had no issue with lawful demonstrations and remained committed to protecting citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest.
“In the case of Ekpoma, the police will not go after anybody who participated in a peaceful protest. We are not against peaceful protest. If you want to protest peacefully, what’s our business? We will protect you,” he said.
However, Egbetokun warned that criminal acts carried out under the cover of protests would not be tolerated.
“Peaceful protest is not a challenge to the police. It is those who perpetrate crime, destroy property and loot shops during protests that we have problems with,” he said.
“In Ekpoma, yes, 52 people were arrested, and from the reports reaching me, they were those involved in looting shops and vandalising the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma. That was the report I received — not the arrest of peaceful protesters. So I debunk that.”
A Federal High Court in Edo State had remanded 52 protesters over alleged malicious damage and armed robbery following a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The suspects, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), were arrested after a demonstration on January 10 turned violent, leading to the destruction and looting of shops and other properties in the community.
The presiding judge adjourned the case to February 26 and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had earlier taken to the streets to protest the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, marching with placards and calling for urgent government intervention.
However, AAU students among those arrested were later released.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, announced their release in a statement on January 15, confirming they were part of the 52 suspects initially detained after the protest.
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