Ekpoma unrest: IGP dismisses ‘peaceful protesters’ claim, says 52 arrested for looting, vandalism
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected claims that the Nigeria Police Force arrested peaceful protesters during the recent unrest in Ekpoma, Edo State, insisting that all those detained were involved in criminal activities.
Speaking in an interview aired on Channels Television on Saturday, Egbetokun described reports accusing the police of targeting innocent demonstrators as a “false narrative” that often follows violent protests in the country.
According to the IG, the police are frequently blamed even when protests degenerate into violence, looting, and attacks on security formations. He noted that despite incidents where police stations were burnt, officers killed, and weapons stolen, the public still accused the police of arresting peaceful protesters.
“That’s the usual false narrative against the police. When people have committed criminal offences during protests, we are used to narratives that the police arrested peaceful protesters,” Egbetokun said.
Addressing the Ekpoma incident, he stressed that the police had no problem with lawful demonstrations and would not arrest anyone for participating in a peaceful protest.
“We are not against peaceful protest. If you want to come out for peaceful protest, what’s our business? We will protect you,” he said.
Egbetokun, however, emphasised that the police would not tolerate violence, destruction of property, or looting carried out under the cover of protest.
“Peaceful protest is not a challenge to the police. It is those people who want to perpetrate crime, carry out violence, destroy property and loot shops during protest. Those are the ones we have problems with,” he added.
The IG disclosed that 52 persons were arrested during the Ekpoma unrest, maintaining that none of them were peaceful protesters.
“In Ekpoma, 52 of them were arrested during the protest, and those arrested were involved in the looting of shops and the vandalising of the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma. That is the report before me,” he said, debunking allegations of indiscriminate arrests.
The controversy followed reports that students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were among those remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre on charges including malicious damage and armed robbery. The Edo State Government, however, dismissed claims that the unrest was a student protest, describing it as a “coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state”.
Last Wednesday, the state government announced that 38 students arrested during the unrest would be released. The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, confirmed that some students had already been freed, with others scheduled for release later.
Earlier, the Edo State Police Command said arrests were made after a breakdown of law and order in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area. The unrest reportedly followed the death of a youth, amid growing concerns over insecurity and kidnapping in the area.
Videos shared online showed youths attacking a livestock market, chasing traders away, slaughtering goats, and leaving cattle roaming major roads, further heightening public concern over the violence that accompanied the protest.
