On January 10, 2026, a protester was shot during a demonstration in Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, amid growing public concern over kidnappings and insecurity in the community.
Residents, including youths and students, had taken to the streets to protest repeated abductions and killings in the area, following the kidnapping of two medical doctors, Tahir Abu Emhoye and Abu Ibrahim Babatunde. According to reports, the protest began peacefully in the morning but later escalated after residents heard that one of the abducted victims had been killed.
Eyewitnesses and police accounts indicate that the demonstration was later hijacked by some individuals who engaged in vandalism, looting, and the destruction of property. During the unrest, a 32-year-old protester, Osagie Abraham, was shot by a soldier. The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident and stated that the military personnel involved has been identified, with the matter formally referred to the appropriate military authorities for investigation and disciplinary action.
The police further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally visited Ekpoma during the unrest and led the deployment of tactical reinforcements from the state headquarters in Benin City to restore order. Several individuals suspected of hijacking the protest to commit violent acts were reportedly arrested.
According to police sources, Osagie Abraham is alive and currently receiving medical treatment at the Eromoele Medical Centre in Ekpoma. Authorities have stated that investigations into the shooting and the wider disturbances are ongoing.
While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest, the police have emphasised that demonstrations must be conducted without violence or destruction of property. They also assured residents that intensified security operations are being carried out to address kidnapping and related crimes in Ekpoma and other parts of Edo State.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) urges Nigerian authorities to ensure a thorough, transparent investigation into the shooting. The MFWA calls on both security agencies and government authorities to prioritise the protection of civilians and address the underlying insecurity that has driven public unrest in the area. MFWA further urges all parties to uphold the right to peaceful assembly while ensuring the safety of both protesters and security personnel.
