A federal high court sitting in Edo State has ordered the remand of 52 persons arrested after a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, turned violent.
Gatekeepers News reports that the suspects, many of them students of Ambrose Alli University, were accused of malicious damage and armed robbery following the demonstration.
The protest, which took place on Saturday, was organised by residents and youths who took to major roads to express anger over rising kidnapping cases in the area and to demand urgent government action.
However, the Edo police command said the demonstration was later hijacked, leading to the vandalisation and looting of shops and other private property.
Ruling on the matter on Monday, the presiding judge, William Aziegbemi, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
He directed the defence lawyers to file their bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court and adjourned the case to February 26. The judge also ordered that the 52 suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja correctional centre pending further proceedings.
The protest violence reportedly included an attack on the palace of Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, an incident that drew condemnation from Governor Monday Okpebholo. Security agencies, including the police and the military, were deployed to restore order as tensions escalated in the town.
During the crackdown, a 32-year-old protester identified as Osagie Abraham was reportedly injured after a military officer discharged a firearm.
Police authorities said the injured man is currently receiving medical treatment in Ekpoma, while the military has been informed to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
The police reiterated that citizens have a constitutional right to protest but stressed that such actions must be peaceful and lawful.
The command also assured residents that security operations across Edo would be intensified to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities, following recent abductions and killings that have heightened fear in parts of the state.
