Nigerians React To Edo Protests and the Rule of Law &
Why the Security Acted to Preserve Peace.
Compilation of reactions.
1. “Peace Must Come Before Protest” — Faith Leaders Back Edo Government’s Firm Response
Excerpt / Comment (Christian & Muslim perspective):
“Justice is not served where lives are endangered in the name of protest,” said a senior cleric aligned with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). “Government has a duty to protect the innocent first.”
A leading Muslim scholar echoed the view, noting that “Islam permits lawful dissent, but condemns chaos and harm to the public. Authority must act where disorder threatens peace.”
2. “Rights Do Not Excuse Disorder” — Security Analysts Say Arrests Prevented Wider Violence
Excerpt / Comment (Security analyst):
“What happened in Ekpoma fits a familiar pattern,” a Lagos-based security analyst said. “Genuine grievances become hijacked by non-peaceful actors. Early intervention is how states prevent protests from mutating into riots.”
He added that the police response “fell within constitutional limits to prevent escalation.”
3. “No Democracy Survives Anarchy” — Civil Society Groups Urge Calm, Due Process
Excerpt / Comment (Civil society):
A coalition of civic organisations said in a joint statement that while protest is protected, “no group has the right to shut down a town, intimidate citizens, or destroy livelihoods.”
They welcomed the suspects’ arraignment in court, stressing that “due process, not mob pressure, is the cornerstone of democratic accountability.”
4. “Students Are Not Above the Law” — Education Stakeholders Call for Focus on Learning
Excerpt / Comment (Student leaders):
A student union official from the South-South region said the episode should be a warning.
“When protests turn violent, students lose legitimacy. The classroom must not become a tool for political destabilisation.”
He urged authorities to separate genuine students from “those paid to cause chaos.”
5. “Security Is a Collective Responsibility” — Defence Authorities Defend Edo’s Action
Excerpt / Comment (Defence / Police perspective):
A senior security official familiar with the matter said the arrests were consistent with Section 45 of Nigeria’s Constitution and the Public Order Act.
“The police acted to protect lives and restore normalcy. That is their constitutional mandate.”
6. “Strong States Act Early” — National Patriots Say Firm Response Prevented Escalation
Excerpt / Comment (National Patriots):
The President of the National Patriots Movement said the government’s response was timely.
“History shows that hesitation fuels instability. Acting early saved Ekpoma from sliding into wider unrest.”
She added that insecurity is “a national challenge requiring coordination, not street anarchy.”
7. “Order Is the First Duty of Leadership” — African Voices Stress Stability Over Street Politics
Excerpt / Comment (Pan-African perspective):
A regional governance expert, referencing African leadership norms, said:
“Across Africa, stability is preserved when leaders act decisively against disorder while allowing courts to determine guilt.”
The lesson, he noted, is clear: “Peace is not anti-democratic; it is the condition that makes democracy possible.”
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report. ©
