The Edo State Police Command has officially identified the military operative allegedly involved in the shooting of a 32-year-old protester, Osagie Abraham, during a recent demonstration in Ekpoma. The incident occurred in the heart of Esan West Local Government Area, where residents had gathered to voice their frustrations over a surge in kidnappings and general insecurity.
Providing an update on the situation, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed on Sunday that the military personnel in question has been flagged. The police have already notified the relevant military authorities to initiate the necessary disciplinary and administrative actions against the soldier.
The victim, Osagie Abraham, is currently fighting for his recovery at the Eromoele Medical Centre in Ekpoma. Showing a hands-on approach to the crisis, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, personally visited Abraham at the hospital to assess his condition. The CP has since ordered an immediate and deep-dive investigation to ensure every detail of the shooting is brought to light.
While the protest was sparked by genuine grievances—specifically the tragic abduction and killing of a local youth just days prior—the police noted that the peaceful nature of the demonstration was short-lived. ASP Ikoedem explained that “miscreants” eventually hijacked the gathering, leading to a chaotic scene where shops were vandalized and property was looted.
In response to the escalating violence, CP Agbonika led tactical reinforcements from the state headquarters in Benin City to the university town. These coordinated deployments and professional crowd-control measures were instrumental in dispersing the hoodlums and restoring order to the busy Benin–Auchi highway, which had been paralyzed by the unrest.
The statement further revealed that several suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the looting and vandalism. While the police reaffirmed that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to protest, they cautioned that such actions must remain peaceful and should never infringe on the safety or livelihoods of others. For now, a heavy security presence remains in Ekpoma to ensure that the hard-won normalcy is maintained.
