38 AAU students to be released – Edo govt

The Edo State Government has confirmed that 38 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, arrested during last weekend’s unrest, will be released.

The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, told Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday that some students were freed on Tuesday, while the remaining detainees would regain their freedom later in the day.

Iyamu claimed the unrest was instigated by outsiders, who he said “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties.” He added that “some items were stolen from the palace of the monarch in the area.”

Following the restoration of calm, the Edo State Government has approved the resumption of academic activities at the university.

The arrests reportedly followed a protest on Saturday initially aimed at highlighting insecurity in Ekpoma, which later turned violent after suspected hoodlums hijacked the demonstration, attacked traders, and set tyres on the roads to block traffic.

Several activists and politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central, condemned the arrests, calling them a suppression of democratic expression.

However, the Edo State Government rejected claims that the incident was a student protest, insisting it was a “coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state.” The government also denied that the arrested individuals were AAU students or that arrests were made within student hostels.

More details are expected to follow.