The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed claims that police officers arrested peaceful protesters during a recent demonstration in Ekpoma, Edo State, insisting that those taken into custody were involved in criminal activities.
According to the police chief, the 52 suspects arrested during the protest were not peaceful demonstrators but individuals who allegedly engaged in looting, vandalism and other acts of violence.
Naijaonpoint reports that the arrests had sparked public outrage, particularly among parents of the suspects, many of whom are students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.
The situation generated further controversy after the suspects were remanded at the Ubiaja Prisons by an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, prompting accusations that the police were clamping down on peaceful protesters.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, episode six, over the weekend, Egbetokun said the police had become accustomed to what he described as false narratives whenever violence occurred under the cover of protests.
“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,” he said.
The IGP lamented that even in cases where police stations were attacked and officers killed, the police were still blamed.
“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,” Egbetokun stated.
‘Police Are Not Against Peaceful Protests’
The police boss emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force had no issue with peaceful demonstrations and would continue to protect citizens who chose to express themselves lawfully.
“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.
Egbetokun reiterated the police position, stressing that demonstrators had nothing to fear as long as their actions remained lawful.
“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,” he added.
While restating support for peaceful protests, the IGP warned that the police would not tolerate criminal behaviour disguised as civic action.
“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.
Egbetokun insisted that the arrests in Ekpoma were based on reports of criminal conduct during the protest.
“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,” the IGP added.
Naijaonpoint recalls that a Federal High Court in Edo State had remanded 52 protesters over alleged malicious damage and armed robbery following the protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The protesters, including students of Ambrose Alli University, were arrested after a demonstration held on January 10 reportedly turned violent, leading to the vandalism and looting of shops and other properties.
The presiding judge adjourned the matter to February 26 for hearing and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Prisons.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had taken to the streets to protest the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, marching through major roads with placards and demanding urgent government intervention to address insecurity.
However, following public outcry and intervention by the Edo State Government, the Ambrose Alli University students arrested in connection with the protest have since been released.
Their release followed an order by Governor Monday Okpebholo, bringing temporary relief to their families and the university community, even as debates continue over the handling of protests and public demonstrations in the country.