Tears As Court Orders Remand Of Arrested Ekpoma Protesters At Edo Correctional Centre

Report on the Remand of Arrested Ekpoma Protesters at Edo Correctional Centre

On January 12, 2026, the Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 2, ordered the remand of several youths arrested during a protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State.

The protesters were transferred to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following the prosecution’s plea for a 14-day remand period.

The court proceedings were marked by emotional scenes, as relatives and supporters of the detained individuals wept openly when the arrested protesters were moved into waiting vehicles.

The protest that led to the arrests was organized by angry youths who demonstrated against the rising spate of kidnappings and insecurity in Ekpoma and surrounding communities. A viral video had earlier shown residents in Edo Central protesting against kidnappings and killings, with some suspected cattle breeders fleeing a market upon sighting the demonstrators.

The police, however, claimed that the protest was hijacked and quickly escalated into violence, vandalism, looting, and property destruction.

According to the police, a military personnel discharged firearms at a protester during the unrest, further intensifying tensions.

In response to the escalation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, led reinforcements from Benin to restore order.

The police emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the Ekpoma demonstration had deviated from lawful conduct.

Those identified as engaging in violence and looting were arrested, and investigations are ongoing to ensure accountability. CP Agbonika also visited a 32-year-old man, Osagie Abraham, who was shot during the protest and is receiving medical treatment. The military authorities have been notified of the incident, and disciplinary action against the personnel involved is expected.

The unrest has reignited broader concerns about insecurity in Edo State, particularly the presence of herders accused of attacking villagers.

Aigbokhan Oseremen, Convener of the Esan Worldwide Community, urged the government to introduce a permit system for outsiders settling in communities, warning that many herders are “real terrorists.” The Edo State Government, through Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi, assured residents that technology-driven strategies are being deployed to dislodge criminal elements from forests and restore peace.

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, cultism, and other crimes. He highlighted investments in modern security apparatus, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration.

Stressing that criminals will not be allowed to hold Edo State hostage, the governor promised that perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice. He called on citizens to support security agencies by providing useful information and refusing to shield criminals within their communities.

The remand of the Ekpoma protesters underscores the tension between citizens’ right to protest and the state’s responsibility to maintain law and order.

While the government insists that decisive measures are being taken to address insecurity, the emotional reactions at the court reveal the deep frustration and fear among residents living under the shadow of kidnappings and violence.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the state’s strategies can restore confidence and peace in Ekpoma and across Edo State.