In a statement issued on Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Command said the protest, which took place on Saturday, was initially planned as a peaceful demonstration but was hijacked by individuals who engaged in vandalism, looting, and other unlawful activities.
The Edo State Police Command has ordered an immediate investigation into the shooting of a protester by a soldier during a protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, insisting that the victim is alive and currently receiving medical care.
In a statement issued on Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Command said the protest, which took place on Saturday, was initially planned as a peaceful demonstration but was hijacked by individuals who engaged in vandalism, looting, and other unlawful activities.
The protest was triggered by the abduction and killing of a young man on January 9, 2026, allegedly by suspected kidnappers.
According to the statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, personally visited Ekpoma during the protest and later led reinforcements from the Command Headquarters in Benin to restore order.
“Through coordinated deployments, strategic positioning of personnel, and professional crowd control measures, normalcy was restored across the affected areas,” the police statement read.
The police confirmed that the 32-year-old protester, Osagie Abraham, is receiving medical attention at Eromoele Medical Center, Ekpoma.
Agbonika has ordered a “thorough investigation” into the shooting incident, while the military personnel involved has been identified and the relevant military authorities notified for disciplinary action.
“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 statement added.
The command emphasized that citizens have a constitutional right to protest, but urged that demonstrations must be conducted peacefully and without infringing on the rights and safety of others.
Agbonika also addressed public concerns about insecurity in the area, stating that the police are conducting “intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols, and targeted tactical interventions to decisively curb kidnapping across Edo State, including Ekpoma.”
The police urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring the public that the situation is under control.
The incident, captured in a viral video, sparked widespread attention on social media, prompting the Edo State Police to publicly clarify the status of the victim and the steps being taken against the soldier and other offenders.