The Edo State Police command on Sunday said a 32 -years – old man Osagie Abraham was shot by a soldier during the Saturday,10th January protest in the University town of Ekpoma, Esan West Local government area of Edo State.
A protest has erupted in the town due to incessant kidnapping in the community. It was gathered that
protesters chased Hausa traders away and slaughtered their goats.
The protest grounded commercial activities as residents including students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, joined in the protest.
The command through a statement signed and made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State by the command public relations officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem said the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika had visited Ekpoma on Sunday, 4th of January in furtherance of the command’s preventive policing strategy, where he met with community leaders, students representatives and other stakeholders to discuss on how to resolve the lingering issue of kidnapping in the community.
She said that upon the commencement of the protest on Saturday, January 10th, 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. But that regrettably, the protest was hijacked and all the rules of peaceful protest were ignored.
The statement read in part:
“Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public, stakeholders, and the national community of 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.
“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 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 military 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.”
Continuing, Ikoedem said.
“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. 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.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, 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.
