The Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 2, has ordered that 52 Ekpoma protest students be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following the recent unrest in the Ekpoma area of the state.
The youths, mainly students of Ambrose Alli University, took to the streets on Saturday, January 10, to protest the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the community. The protest later turned violent, with properties, including the palace of the community monarch, reportedly destroyed, while videos of the incident trended on social media.
The police, who intervened, alleged that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums, leading to arrests.
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“Regrettably, the protest was hijacked, and all the rules of peaceful protest were ignored, which led to incidents, including malicious damages, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as a military personnel discharging firearms at a protester,” a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, partly read.
The police added that those involved in violence, vandalism, and looting were identified and arrested, while investigations are ongoing to ensure justice is served.
The Ekpoma protest students were arraigned on Monday, January 12, after which the court ordered their remand in Ubiaja prison custody until February 26.
Tears flowed as parents struggled to hand over water, food, drinks, and money to their children before they were moved in a Black Maria vehicle to Ubiaja.
Many of the Ekpoma protest students claimed they were picked from their homes at night and early Sunday morning before being taken to the Edo State Police Command.
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Video credit : Lindaikeji