By Our Reporter
BENIN CITY (CONVERSEER) – The Edo State High Court has ordered the remand of some youths arrested over a protest that rocked Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
The order followed an application by the prosecution seeking a 14-day remand period to enable further investigation of the matter.
The youths were arrested after last weekend’s protest against the rising cases of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in Ekpoma and parts of Edo Central.
Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Police Command said the protest, which started peacefully, was later hijacked by hoodlums.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the Area Commander in Ekpoma had mobilised officers in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the protest remained orderly and within the law.
“Regrettably, the protest was hijacked and all the rules of peaceful protest were ignored, leading to incidents including malicious damage, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as a military personnel discharging firearms at a protester,” the statement said.
The police said the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, later led tactical reinforcements from the state headquarters in Benin to Ekpoma to restore order and prevent further escalation of the situation.
According to the command, coordinated deployment of personnel, strategic positioning and professional crowd-control measures helped to restore calm across the affected areas, while those who engaged in acts of violence, vandalism and looting were identified and arrested.
Investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice.
The police also confirmed that a 32-year-old man, Osagie Abraham, was shot during the protest and is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ekpoma.
The Commissioner of Police was said to have visited the victim and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the shooting incident.
The command added that the military personnel involved in the shooting have been identified and the appropriate military authorities formally notified for necessary disciplinary action in line with established protocols.
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While reiterating that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the police warned that such demonstrations must be conducted responsibly and without infringing on the rights, safety and property of others.
Addressing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity, the Edo State Police Command assured residents that intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols and targeted tactical interventions were being deployed to curb criminal activities across the state, including Ekpoma.
Meanwhile, concerns have continued to mount among residents over the presence of herders said to have settled deep in some communities and accused of attacking villagers.
The Convener of the Esan Worldwide Community, Aigbokhan Oseremen, has urged the Edo State Government to ensure that outsiders obtain permits before settling in rural areas.
He said the government must put in place measures to monitor those living in villages and forests, adding that many of the herders were allegedly involved in acts of terror.
The Edo State Government, however, said the situation would soon be brought under control.
The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi, said security agencies were already implementing technology-driven strategies to identify and dislodge criminal elements hiding in forested areas.
He assured residents that serious measures were in place and that the impact of the new security strategies would soon be felt across the state.
Culled from The Whistler
