The inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected allegations that police officers arrested peaceful protesters during the recent demonstration in Ekpoma, Edo State.
He clarified that the 52 individuals taken into custody were arrested for alleged criminal activities carried out during the protest.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, episode six, on Saturday, Egbetokun said the police are often unfairly blamed for violence perpetrated under the guise 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,” the IGP 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.”
Egbetokun stressed that the police have no objection to lawful demonstrations and remain committed to protecting citizens who protest 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.”
However, the IGP noted that criminal acts carried out under the cover of protests would not be tolerated.
“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,” Egbetokun 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.”
Background
A Federal High Court in Edo State had ordered the remand of 52 protesters over allegations of malicious damage and armed robbery linked to a protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The protest, which involved residents and students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), reportedly turned violent on January 10, leading to the vandalisation and looting of shops and other properties.
The presiding judge adjourned the matter to February 26 for hearing and directed that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja correctional centre.
Residents of Ekpoma and surrounding communities had staged the protest to draw attention to rising cases of kidnapping, marching through major roads with placards while calling for urgent government action.
However, the AAU students arrested in connection with the protest have since been released. Patrick Ebojele, chief press secretary to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, confirmed their release in a statement issued on January 15, noting that the students were among the 52 suspects initially detained.