A Federal High Court in Edo State has ordered the remand of 52 individuals accused of vandalism and armed robbery during a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA.
The defendants, among them students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), were arrested after a Saturday rally escalated into violence, during which several shops and properties were reportedly looted and destroyed.
Presiding judge William Aziegbemi, while ruling on Monday, stated that the matter could not be heard in his court due to lack of jurisdiction.
He instructed defence counsel to submit bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.
Aziegbemi set February 26 as the hearing date and directed that all suspects be transferred to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Residents of Ekpoma and nearby communities had earlier taken to the streets to decry a spike in kidnapping cases, marching with placards and demanding urgent government action.
However, the Edo State Police Command said the peaceful march was overtaken by criminal elements, resulting in “malicious damage, looting, and vandalisation of property”.
Among the affected places was the palace of Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, which was reportedly attacked—an incident the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, condemned.
Security agencies, including the police and military, were deployed to restore calm as the unrest spread.
During the chaos, a soldier allegedly fired a shot that injured 32-year-old protester Osagie Abraham.
According to police reports, the injured man is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Ekpoma, and military authorities have been notified for appropriate disciplinary action.
The command noted that while the right to protest is recognised, it must be exercised peacefully and “within the law”.
Police further assured residents that security measures are being intensified to combat kidnapping and associated crimes across the state.
The protest followed a recent spike in abductions, including the killing of medical practitioners in the state.