No fewer than 52 anti-kidnapping protesters, including students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, have been remanded in custody by a Federal High Court in Edo State following allegations of malicious damage to property and armed robbery.
The protesters were arrested after a demonstration against rising cases of kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, reportedly turned violent on Saturday, leading to the looting and vandalisation of shops and other properties in the town.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He consequently directed the defence counsel to file bail applications before the High Court sitting in Ubiaja.
Justice Aziegbemi adjourned the case till February 26 for further hearing and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail applications.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had earlier taken to the streets to protest the worsening insecurity in the area, particularly the surge in kidnapping incidents.
The demonstrators marched through major roads, brandishing placards and calling on the state government and security agencies to take decisive action.
However, the Edo State Police Command said the protest was later hijacked by hoodlums, who allegedly engaged in widespread vandalism, looting and destruction of public and private property.
During the unrest, the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, was reportedly attacked, a development strongly condemned by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The police said officers, alongside other security agencies, were deployed to the area to restore order after the situation escalated.
It was also reported that a soldier fired a shot during the chaos, injuring a 32-year-old protester, identified as Osagie Abraham.
The police said the victim is currently receiving medical treatment at a health facility in Ekpoma, adding that military authorities have been informed to take appropriate action over the incident.
Reiterating its stance, the police command acknowledged citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest but warned that such actions must be carried out within the confines of the law.
The command further assured residents that security operations across the state had been intensified to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The protest followed renewed public outrage over a spike in kidnapping cases in Edo State, compounded by recent reports of abductions and killings, including those of medical doctors.
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