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The Edo State Police Command on Sunday said a 32-year-old protester, identified as Osagie Abraham, was shot by a military personnel during Saturday’s protest by residents of Ekpoma over the incessant abductions in the locality and its environs.
DAILY POST reports that the Saturday protest was sparked by the abduction and subsequent killing of a young man on January 9, 2026 by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on his behalf by ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, on Sunday in Benin-City.
Agbonika said the victim shot during the protest is currently receiving treatment at Eromoele Medical Centre, Ekpoma.
He added that the military personnel involved in the shooting incident have been identified, while the appropriate military authorities have been formally notified for necessary administrative and disciplinary action in line with established protocols.
The police commissioner added that an immediate and thorough investigation has been ordered into the incident.
He also disclosed that those engaged in the violence, vandalism and looting during the protest have been identified and arrested, and thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure that all culpable persons are brought to justice.
Agbonika, who said the situation has been brought under control, noted that the protest was hijacked and that all the rules of peaceful protest were ignored which led to malicious damages, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as a military personnel discharging firearms at a protester
He said following reports of a planned protest, he personally visited the town on January 4, 2026, in furtherance of the Command’s preventive policing strategy.
The statement read, “The 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, Monday Agbonika, on Sunday, 4th January, 2026 proactively visited the town in furtherance of the Command’s preventive policing strategy.
“During the visit, CP Monday Agbonika, 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 mobilised 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 were ignored which led to incidents including malicious damages, looting of property, vandalisation of shops, as well as military personnel discharging firearms at a protester.
“In response to the sudden escalation, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, 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-year-old Osagie Abraham, who is presently receiving medical attention at Eromoele Medical Centre, Ekpoma. He has ordered the immediate and thorough investigation of the incident.
“Meanwhile, the military personnel involved in the shooting incident have 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, 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.”
Agbonika assured that the Command is deploying intensified intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols, and targeted tactical interventions to decisively curb the menace of kidnapping across Edo State, including Ekpoma.
He also assured that the Command remains resolute in doing everything within its available resources to dismantle criminal networks in the state and sustain public confidence.
He, however, advised members of the public, particularly residents of Ekpoma and its environs, to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, noting that the situation is firmly under control and normalcy has been fully restored.
The commissioner also appreciated the cooperation of law-abiding citizens and urged continued partnership with security agencies in maintaining peace and order in the state.
Police launch investigation as soldier shoots man protesting against kidnapping in Edo
