Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the arrest and alleged detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, calling for their immediate release and describing the action as an assault on democratic rights.
The arrests followed a protest in Ekpoma on Saturday over rising insecurity in the area. While the demonstration was initially peaceful, it reportedly degenerated after suspected hoodlums infiltrated the crowd, attacked traders, blocked roads with burning tyres and caused damage to public and private property.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on Tuesday, Atiku accused the Federal Government of intolerance, insisting that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Constitution. He argued that detaining students for speaking out against insecurity reflected misplaced priorities by the authorities.
He said the government ought to channel the same energy used in arresting protesters into tackling terrorism, banditry and other security challenges threatening communities across the country. He further demanded what he described as the “immediate and unconstitutional release” of all those detained for exercising their rights.
Reports indicate that the 52 individuals were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following their arraignment before a Benin High Court on charges including malicious damage and armed robbery. The presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, ruled that his court lacked jurisdiction and directed that bail applications be filed at the Ubiaja High Court. The case was adjourned to February 26, 2026.
The violence that followed the protest reportedly included the vandalisation of the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an incident condemned by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Some of the affected students claimed they were arrested in the early hours of the morning from their hostels and transported to Benin for arraignment.
The arrests have also drawn criticism from other quarters. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan described the detentions as an attempt to suppress democratic expression, while the National Association of Nigerian Students called the situation disturbing and unacceptable, insisting that students should not be punished for peaceful protest.
However, the Edo State Government rejected claims that the incident was a student protest, describing it instead as a coordinated riot intended to destabilise the state. It also denied that those arrested were Ambrose Alli University students or that arrests were carried out within student hostels.
