Police Arrest 50 As Protest Degenerates Into Violence In Ekpoma

The Edo State Police Command has arrested over 50 persons in connection with the violent protest that erupted in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, last Saturday.

The suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in looting, vandalism and other violent acts that followed the protest, which initially began as a peaceful demonstration.

Confirming the arrests on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Eno Ikoedem, said the suspects were picked up during security operations carried out across different parts of Ekpoma.

According to him, the arrested persons were directly linked to the destruction and theft that occurred during the protest.

“The suspects arrested were involved in looting and other violent acts that took place during the protest,” Ikoedem said.

Findings showed that the arrests followed reports of widespread looting of shops and the vandalisation of the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma during the unrest.

Hoodlums were said to have hijacked the protest, attacking properties and causing panic among residents and traders in the area.

The suspects were later conveyed in a Black Maria to a court in Edo State, where they are currently being held pending arraignment.

At the court premises, relatives of some of the suspects were seen loitering around anxiously, awaiting the commencement of legal proceedings.

However, journalists were denied access to the courtroom as security operatives cordoned off the area and restricted entry as of the time of filing this report.

Naija News reports that the crisis in Ekpoma began on Saturday when residents staged a peaceful protest to express concerns over rising insecurity in the area.

The protesters complained about frequent cases of kidnapping and the killing of a youth on Friday night, which heightened tension in the community.

During the demonstration, protesters blocked a major highway to draw attention to their grievances. However, the protest was later hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders, looted shops and vandalised properties, including the palace of the traditional ruler.

The violence forced security agencies to intervene to restore calm, while the Edo State Government later postponed school resumption in Edo Central Senatorial District as a precautionary measure.

Police authorities said investigations were ongoing and warned that more arrests could follow as efforts continue to bring all those responsible for the violence to justice.