Students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, were among 52 persons arrested and arraigned by the police over a violent protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State over the weekend.
The protest was sparked by growing concerns over frequent kidnappings and killings in the community, with residents alleging that several victims were abducted directly from their homes. Tensions escalated during the demonstration, leading to the looting of shops and vandalising of the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma.
Security operatives arrested the suspects from different parts of the town. The people detained were mostly students, who claimed they were picked up around 3 a.m on Monday while asleep in their hostels, and were not involved in the protest.
The suspects were conveyed in a Black Maria to Benin City, Edo State capital, where they were later arraigned before a Benin High Court.
At the court premises, relatives of the accused expressed distress.
A parent, Abdulsalam, said his two sons were wrongly arrested, insisting that they did not participate in the protest. Emotional scenes played out as family members wept while the suspects were taken into police custody.
The arraignment followed an ex parte motion filed by Police Officer Odion. However, the presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case and directed defence counsel to apply for bail at the Ubiaja High Court.
The suspects were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, and the case was adjourned to February 26, 2026, for hearing.
Edo State Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, stated that the arrests were linked to the violent protest. In contrast, defence lawyers, including Barristers Wisdom Isaac and Enemies Etinbowei, argued that the charges of malicious damage and armed robbery were unfounded.
They stressed that the students neither organised nor participated in the protest, which they said was led by relatives of a kidnapped victim who was later found dead.
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