Police in Edo State have restored calm in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area (LGA), after a peaceful protest against insecurity descended into violence, forcing traders to flee and disrupting commercial activity.
Residents had blocked a major highway on Saturday to protest the killing of a youth on Friday night and the rising cases of kidnapping in the area.
The demonstration later spiralled out of control when it was hijacked by groups of youths.
Hausa traders at the town’s livestock market were chased away, while goats belonging to them were slaughtered.
Panic spread across the area as videos shared online showed traders fleeing, cows roaming the main roads and some animals being beaten by residents.
The video also captured moments slaughtered goats were being dragged away by members of the crowd.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had taken preventive steps ahead of the protest by convening a stakeholders’ meeting on January 4.
The meeting involved community leaders, student representatives and other interest groups following intelligence reports of potential unrest.
According to the police, the commissioner personally visited Ekpoma as part of a preventive policing strategy, engaging residents in dialogue aimed at addressing grievances and ensuring that any protest remained peaceful.
When the protest began on January 10, the Area Commander in Ekpoma deployed officers alongside other security agencies to maintain order.
However, the police said the situation deteriorated when the protest was hijacked, leading to vandalism, looting of shops and an incident in which a military personnel discharged a firearm at a protester.
Additional tactical reinforcements were subsequently deployed from the state command headquarters in Benin, with the commissioner leading efforts to regain control and restore normalcy.
The police confirmed that the injured protester, identified as 32-year-old Osagie Abraham, is receiving treatment at Eromoele Medical Centre in Ekpoma.
An investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and that the military officer involved has been identified, with relevant authorities notified for disciplinary action.
The command also disclosed that several individuals involved in violence, vandalism and looting have been identified and arrested, adding that investigations are continuing to ensure all those responsible are prosecuted.
Agbonika reiterated that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, demonstrations must be peaceful and must not infringe on the safety, rights or property of others.
On issues concerning kidnapping and insecurity, the commissioner assured residents that intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols and targeted interventions are being deployed in Ekpoma and across Edo State to curb criminal activity.
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