Edo protest: 52 suspects in custody were arrested for looting – IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has disclosed that police officers did not arrest peaceful protesters in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Egbetokun, who spoke on the sixth episode of Crime Buster with Desmond during the weekend, added that the 52 suspects in custody were apprehended for looting and vandalism.

The IGP’s disclosure comes on the heels of backlash trailing the arrest of the protesters, most of whom were students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU).

The arrest also sparked outrage from the parents of the students after they were remanded to Ubiaja Prisons by the state high court in Benin City.

Addressing the issue, Egbetokun dismissed claims that those in custody were peaceful protesters.

“That’s the usual false narrative against the police. When people have committed criminal offences during protests, we are used to narratives that the police arrested peaceful protesters.

“Even those who burnt down police stations, murdered policemen, stole our arms during protests, Nigerians will accuse us that we are arresting people who are on peaceful protest.

“In the case of Ekpoma, of course, the police will not go after anybody who participated in a peaceful protest. We are not against peaceful protest.

“We have made this clear many times, and we continue to say it, that the police will not stop anybody who comes out for peaceful protest. If you want to come out for peaceful protest, what’s our business? We will protect you.

“In Ekpoma, yes, 52 of them were arrested during the protest, and those 52, from the report coming to me, are those people who were involved in the looting of shops and the vandalising of the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma.

“That was the report I have, not arrest and detention of peaceful protesters. No. That’s the usual wrong narrative that we are used to in Nigeria. So I debunk that,” the IGP said.