By Ebinum Samuel
The Edo State Police Command, through its spokeswoman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, has clarifeid the true position of events surrounding the protest that occurred in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and the swift interventions undertaken to restore peace and public safety.
According to her, following reports of a planned protest in Ekpoma, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, on Sunday, 4th January, 2026 proactively visited the town in furtherance of the Command’s preventive policing strategy. During the visit, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, in the company of the Area Commander, Ekpoma, and the Divisional Police Officer, convened a robust stakeholders’ engagement meeting involving community leaders, students’ representatives, and other critical interest groups. The objective, she said was to openly dialogue, address grievances, promote peaceful expression, and forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“Upon the commencement of the protest yesterday 10th January, 2026 the Area Commander, Ekpoma, immediately mobilized Police personnel in strategic collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure that the protest remained peaceful, orderly, and within the confines of the law. Regrettably, the protest was hijacked and all the rules of peaceful protest was ignored which led to incidents including malicious
damages, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as a millitary personnel discharging firearms at a protester.
“In response to the sudden escalation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, promptly led additional tactical reinforcements from the State Command Headquarters, Benin to Ekpoma to reinforce operational control, restore public order, and prevent further degeneration of the situation. Through coordinated deployments, strategic positioning of personnel, and professional crowd control measures, normalcy was swiftly restored across the affected areas.
“The Commissioner of Police has personally visited the man who was shot during the protest, 32 years old Osagie Abraham who is presently receiving medical attention at Eromoele Medical Center, Ekpoma. He has ordered the immediate and thorough investigation of the incident” she concluded Meanwhile, the military personnel involved in the shooting incident has been identified while the appropriate military authorities, have been formally notified for necessary administrative and disciplinary action in line with established protocols. Those who engaged in acts of violence, vandalism, and looting have also been identified and arrested, and thorough investigations are ongoing to ensure that all culpable persons are brought to justice as the
Commissioner of Police has reiterates that it is the constitutional right of citizens to engage in lawful protest and freely express their grievances; however, such protests must always be conducted peacefully, responsibly, and without infringing on the rights, safety, and property of other members of the public.
Addressing the concerns raised by residents regarding the incidence of kidnapping, the Commissioner of Police assures the public that the Edo State Police Command is deploying intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols, and targeted tactical interventions to decisively curb kidnapping across Edo State, including Ekpoma. The Command remains resolute in doing everything within its available resources to dismantle criminal networks in the state and sustain public confidence.
Members of the public, particularly residents of Ekpoma and its environs, are therefore advised to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, as the situation is firmly under control and normalcy has been fully restored.
The Command appreciates the cooperation of law-abiding citizens and urges continued partnership with security agencies in maintaining peace and order.