Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has rejected claims that police officers arrested peaceful protesters in Ekpoma, Edo state.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, episode six, on Saturday, the IGP said officers were often blamed for violence carried out under the guise of protests.
Egbetokun said the 52 persons taken into custody were involved in criminal acts that occurred during the protest.
“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.
“Even those who burnt down police stations, murdered policemen, stole our arms during protests, Nigerians will accuse us that we are arresting people who are on peaceful protest.”
The IGP said the police had no objection to lawful demonstrations and would continue to safeguard citizens who protested peacefully.
“In the case of Ekpoma, of course, the police will not go after anybody who participated in a peaceful protest. We are not against peaceful protest,” he said.
“We have made this clear many times and we continue to say it, that the police will not stop anybody who comes out for peaceful protest. If you want to come out for peaceful protest, what’s our business? We will protect you.”
Egbetokun said the police would, however, resist criminal behaviour carried out under the cover of protests.
“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 said.
“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 of the Enogie of Ekpoma.
“That was the report I have, not arrest and detention of peaceful protesters. No. That’s the usual wrong narrative that we are used to in Nigeria. So I debunk that.”
Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Edo state had earlier remanded 52 protesters over alleged malicious damage and armed robbery linked to a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA.
The suspects, including students of Ambrose Alli University, were arrested after the January 10 protest turned violent, leading to the vandalising and looting of shops and other property.
The presiding judge adjourned the case to February 26 and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja correctional centre.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had staged the protest over rising cases of kidnapping, marching through major roads with placards and demanding government intervention.
The Ambrose Alli University students arrested in connection with the protest were later released.
Patrick Ebojele, chief press secretary to Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, announced the release in a statement on January 15, saying the students were among the 52 suspects arrested after the protest.