The Edo State Government has commenced efforts to secure the release of bona fide students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following a protest over rising cases of kidnapping in the area.
The students were among 52 persons arrested after unrest erupted during a protest last week in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area. The demonstration was triggered by growing concerns over frequent kidnappings and the killing of a local youth.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Iyamu, to ensure that legitimate AAU students caught up in the arrests are identified and released without delay.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, Dr. Iyamu said the government was committed to due process while ensuring that innocent students were not unjustly detained.
According to him, the violence that accompanied the protest was not initiated by serving students of the university but by a group known as the Comrade Association, which he described as largely made up of former students.
“There is a lot of misinformation circulating, particularly on social media,” Iyamu said. “The university is not in session, and there was no authorised protest by the Student Union Government. There was also no formal notification to security agencies.”
He added that protesters vandalised the residence of the traditional ruler and carted away food items, including cartons of Indomie noodles—acts he said were inconsistent with the values of AAU students.
The Commissioner said Governor Okpebholo had given clear instructions that all genuine AAU students should be released and allowed to return home.
Also speaking, Comrade Asefon Sunday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, confirmed that arrangements were underway for the release of 38 AAU students.
He attributed the development to the interventions of Governor Okpebholo, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, the AAU Students’ Union Government leadership, and members of the comrade community.
“We appreciate the commitment of all stakeholders to dialogue, due process, and the welfare of students,” Asefon said.
In his reaction, the President of the AAU Students’ Union Government, Osadebamwen Ehizojie, thanked the governor for intervening and reiterated that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums.
“The protest was not initiated by AAU students,” he said. “We are grateful to the Edo State Government for ensuring that our fellow students are released.”
