The arrest of 52 students from Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State, has sparked outrage among lawmakers and youth organizations across Nigeria.
The students were reportedly detained following a protest against the growing insecurity in the region, an action that many now view as an overreach by authorities.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, did not mince words in condemning the arrests.
She described the detentions as a “dangerous suppression of youth voices and democratic expression,” urging Edo State authorities to release the students immediately.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that dialogue, not detention, is the proper way to address civic concerns.
“Our youths must not be criminalised for speaking up and protesting about issues that affect their environment, welfare, and future,” she said.
Redirecting Government Focus to Security Challenges
The senator also criticized the Edo State government for its handling of the situation.
She called on the authorities to prioritize tackling the alarming rise in kidnappings and other crimes, rather than targeting students who are exercising their constitutional rights.
She noted, “The government of Edo State must focus on addressing kidnappings and insecurity instead of suppressing discerning and courageous voices.”
Peaceful Protest as a Pillar of Democracy
Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted that peaceful protest is not only a constitutional right but also a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable, particularly for young people who bear the brunt of governance failures.
She warned, “Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust and widens the gap between government and the governed. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses.”
The senator reaffirmed her support for the detained students and their families, framing her advocacy as part of a broader commitment to justice and youth empowerment.
Students Arrested During Midnight Operation
According to reports from PUNCH Online, the 52 students were apprehended during a coordinated midnight operation by the Nigeria Police Force in Ekpoma.
They were subsequently charged in court for allegedly participating in a protest against the worsening security situation in Edo State.
National Association of Nigerian Students Reacts
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also condemned the arrests, labeling the continued detention “ridiculous, unacceptable, and deeply disturbing.”
In a statement signed by NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, the group insisted that students exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment, or psychological trauma.
Police Claim Protest Turned Violent
The Edo State Police Command, however, maintained that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders, set tyres on fire, and vandalized the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
Authorities suggested this warranted the intervention, though critics argue that the response disproportionately targeted peaceful student protesters.
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