A Benin High Court on Monday ordered 52 youths, including several students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, to be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following a protest over rising kidnappings and insecurity in Esan West Local Government Area.
The youths were arraigned after security forces arrested them over last Saturday’s demonstration, which began as an anti-kidnapping rally but allegedly turned violent, with reports of looting, vandalism of shops and the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma.
Presiding Judge William Aziegbemi ruled that the Benin court lacked jurisdiction and directed defence counsel to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court. The case has been adjourned to 26 February 2026 for hearing.
Relatives wept as parents and friends watched the accused being led into a prison van. Some defenders claim no formal complaints were filed against many of the students, with several saying they were arrested from their hostels in pre-dawn raids, not at the protest site.
The Edo State Police Command described the demonstration as having been “hijacked” by hoodlums, leading to unlawful acts including malicious damage and looting. Security forces, including tactical reinforcements under Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika, restored order and made arrests.
A 32-year-old man, Osagie Abraham, was reported shot during the unrest and is receiving medical care; the military personnel involved in the incident have been identified and handed over to appropriate authorities for action.
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate release of the detained students, condemning their remand as oppressive and unlawful, and accusing the state government of failing to address insecurity.
Civil rights groups like the Take-It-Back Movement likewise decried the arrests, urging withdrawal of charges and respect for constitutional protest rights, while warning that continued detention could deepen public anger.
In response to safety concerns, the local Esan West council restricted okada and tricycle operations after the protests. Additionally, schools in Edo Central Senatorial District were suspended indefinitely to safeguard students and residents.
Separately, a fire on Sunday destroyed several shops belonging to the Police Officers’ Wives Association in Ekpoma; the police clarified that reports of a police station fire were false.
