Police chief debunks “false narratives” surrounding Edo arrests
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed allegations that the police targeted peaceful protesters during the recent unrest in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Speaking on the program Crime Buster with Desmond over the weekend of January 17-18, 2026, the police chief clarified that the 52 individuals taken into custody were apprehended for specific criminal acts. He described the reports suggesting that innocent demonstrators were being detained as a “false narrative” designed to discredit the force.
According to the IGP, the arrests were made following a breakdown of law and order during a protest against the rising cases of kidnapping in the university town. While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Egbetokun noted that the demonstration on Saturday, January 10, 2026, was hijacked by hoodlums. These elements allegedly engaged in the looting of private shops and the vandalization of the palace belonging to the Enogie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
“In Ekpoma, yes, 52 of them were arrested during the protest, and those 52, from the report coming to me, are those people who were involved in the looting of shops and the vandalising of the palace,” the IGP stated. He emphasized that the police would continue to protect those who choose to protest lawfully but would not tolerate violence under any guise. He lamented that the public often accuses the police of arresting peaceful protesters even when clear criminal offenses, such as the murder of officers or theft of arms, have occurred.
Governor Okpebholo intervenes to release detained students
The arrest of the 52 suspects, many of whom were students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), sparked widespread condemnation from activists, parents, and political leaders. Following their initial arraignment at a Federal High Court on charges of malicious damage and armed robbery, the suspects were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre. However, in a move to de-escalate tensions, Governor Monday Okpebholo intervened by ordering the immediate release of genuine students among the detainees.
The Edo State Government maintained that while it facilitated the release of verified students, the unrest itself was a criminal exploitation of a security situation. Authorities cited reports of angry youths chasing away traders at a livestock market and slaughtering goats belonging to the merchants. Governor Okpebholo described the kidnapping reports that triggered the protest as “fake and stage-managed,” intended to create ethnic tension and destabilize the economy of the state.
Despite the release of the students on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the IGP maintained that the police were correct to act against the looters. The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, supervised the verification process to ensure that only bona fide students were freed, while other suspects would continue to face investigation. The court has adjourned the formal hearing of the case to February 26, 2026, as the state seeks to balance justice for the looted businesses with the rights of the students.
Security operations intensified to curb kidnapping surge
In response to the underlying security concerns in Esan West Local Government Area, the Edo State Police Command has bolstered its presence in Ekpoma. Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika has overseen the deployment of tactical teams to conduct intelligence-led patrols and targeted interventions. This proactive move follows a stakeholders’ meeting where community leaders and student representatives voiced their frustrations over the spate of insecurity and killings in the region.
The IGP reiterated that peaceful protest is not a challenge to the police, but rather the criminal elements who use such gatherings as a “perfect cover” for lawlessness. He urged the public to disregard unverified social media reports, such as the false claim that a police station was set on fire during the riot. The police command clarified that a minor fire at the Powa Shops area was caused by an electrical spark and was successfully extinguished by officers and the public.
As Ekpoma returns to a state of relative calm, the focus remains on the “Safe School Initiative” and the ongoing investigation into the shooting of a protester, Osagie Abraham, allegedly by military personnel. The Nigeria Police Force has promised to sanction any officer found culpable of extortion or harassment during the crackdown. For now, the administrative activities in the university town are resuming, though residents remain vigilant regarding the security measures promised by the government.
