Court Sentences 52 Edo Youths to Prison Over Anti-Kidnapping Protest

A Magistrate Court in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced 52 young men to prison terms ranging from three to six months after they were convicted of unlawful assembly and public disturbance during a protest against rising kidnappings in the state.

The youths, mostly aged between 18 and 30, were arrested on January 5, 2026, while demonstrating along the busy Sapele Road axis, demanding urgent government action to curb the wave of abductions plaguing communities in Edo North and Edo Central.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “End Kidnapping Now!”, “Our Lives Matter”, and “Government, Wake Up!”, and reportedly blocked traffic for over two hours before security forces dispersed them.

According to court records, the presiding magistrate, Hon. E.O. Aigbokhan, found the defendants guilty on two counts: unlawful assembly contrary to Section 70 of the Criminal Code and conduct likely to cause breach of peace under Section 249.

The court sentenced 42 of the youths to three months imprisonment with an option of fine of ₦50,000 each, while the remaining 10, identified as alleged ringleaders, received six months without the option of fine.

Human rights groups and civil society organisations have condemned the judgment, describing it as “disproportionate” and an attempt to suppress legitimate protest against insecurity.

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Amnesty International Nigeria called for the immediate release of the convicts, arguing that peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Edo State Police Command defended the arrests, stating the protest turned violent when some participants allegedly pelted security operatives with stones and attempted to block major highways.
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has yet to issue an official statement on the ruling.

The case has reignited national debate on the right to protest versus public order, especially amid ongoing security challenges across the country.

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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