Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate release of genuine students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) who were arrested following a protest against rising insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma.
The Governor’s directive follows a meeting on Tuesday with the AAU Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael. Governor Okpebholo claimed that the protest, which led to the arrest of 52 individuals, was not an authentic student movement but was orchestrated by “non-students” intent on extortion and unrest.
“Intelligence shows the incident was led by a group calling themselves the ‘Ambrose Alli Comrade Community’—individuals who are no longer students but loiter around the school for unlawful activities,” the Governor stated through his spokesperson, Patrick Ebojele. He pledged that any legitimate students caught in the security sweep would be released to the SUG leadership without delay.
The SUG President, Osadebamen Michael, had earlier distanced the union from the protest, describing attempts to link the unrest to the student body as “misleading.” However, he appealed for the release of students who were caught up in the police crackdown.
The arrests have sparked controversy. While the Governor characterized the protesters as criminals, reports indicate that police conducted a midnight raid on student hostels, picking up 52 students while they slept. These students were subsequently arraigned on Monday, with police seeking a 14-day remand pending legal advice.
The original protest was sparked by a surge in kidnappings in the Ekpoma area. During the demonstrations, residents reportedly tore down 2027 election campaign billboards, accusing the political class of prioritizing electioneering over the lives and safety of citizens.
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