The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed claims that police officers arrested peaceful protesters during the recent demonstration in Ekpoma, Edo State, insisting that those taken into custody were involved in criminal activities.
Egbetokun said the 52 individuals arrested during the protest were not targeted for exercising their right to protest but were apprehended for acts of looting, vandalism and violence that occurred under the guise of a peaceful demonstration.
The arrests, which involved mostly students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), had sparked outrage among parents and community members, especially after the suspects were remanded at the Ubiaja Prisons by a state high court sitting in Benin City.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, episode six, aired over the weekend, the IGP said the police are often unfairly blamed whenever protests turn violent. According to him, there is a recurring narrative in Nigeria that paints the police as arresting peaceful protesters, even when crimes are committed.
He noted that similar accusations have followed past protests where police stations were attacked, officers killed and weapons stolen. “Yet, the story is always that the police arrested peaceful protesters,” he said.
Egbetokun stressed that the police have no issue with lawful demonstrations and will continue to protect citizens who protest peacefully. He said the police’s responsibility is to maintain order and safeguard lives and property, not to suppress lawful expression.
“In the case of Ekpoma, we did not go after anyone who participated in a peaceful protest. We are not against peaceful protest in any way,” he said, adding that the police would always protect those who demonstrate within the law.
However, he warned that criminal behaviour during protests would not be tolerated. According to him, the police’s concern is not with peaceful protesters but with individuals who exploit protests to carry out violence, destroy property and loot shops.
Addressing the Ekpoma incident directly, the IGP said reports available to him showed that the 52 suspects arrested were involved in looting shops and vandalising the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma. He firmly rejected claims that peaceful protesters were detained, describing such reports as misleading.
The arrests followed a protest against rising cases of kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area. What began as a peaceful march on January 10 later turned violent, resulting in the destruction of property and theft from businesses.
A Federal High Court in Edo State subsequently remanded the suspects over allegations of malicious damage and armed robbery, adjourning the case to February 26 and ordering their detention at the Ubiaja Prisons.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had taken to the streets to demand urgent government action over worsening insecurity in the area. However, the AAU students detained in connection with the protest have since been released, following an intervention by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
