Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has directed the release of bona fide students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were among 52 people remanded following unrest in the university town, a decision that comes after mounting public criticism and rights group pressure over the arrests.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, followed several days of heightened tension after dozens of youths, including, authorities say, some AAU students, were arrested in connection with protests against rising kidnappings and insecurity in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The situation escalated earlier in the week when a High Court in Benin City ordered that 52 suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre pending further investigation into charges linked to the protests, including allegations of vandalism and violence.
Although the unrest began as a demonstration against insecurity, critics argue that many of those detained were peaceful protesters or students who did not participate in violence. Some relatives said students were arrested from their hostels late at night, sparking anger over police conduct and possible rights violations.
In a meeting with the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of AAU, Governor Okpebholo clarified that the recent unrest was not an organised student protest, but rather was allegedly instigated by non-students who exploited the situation to foment trouble.
“These are people who are no longer students but are just hanging around the school, causing trouble and extorting students,” Okpebholo was reported to have said, stressing that genuine students wrongly detained should be freed without delay.
State officials subsequently instructed the Ministry of Education and relevant security agencies to verify the identities of those arrested and ensure that innocent students are released after screening.
The governor’s office also addressed circulating misinformation by stressing that peaceful protest is permitted under the constitution, but added that acts of violence, vandalism and looting would not be tolerated.
Families of the detained youths expressed relief at news of the governor’s order. Rabi Braimah, whose son and his friends were among those remanded, said many of the students were arrested from their hostels and had not participated in the protest.
The AAU SUG President, Osadebamwen Ehizojie, welcomed the governor’s decision, emphasising that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums and did not reflect the intentions of the student body.
The release order followed intense pressure from civil society organisations, rights groups and political figures. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had urged the governor to “immediately and unconditionally release all 52 people, mostly students,” describing their detention as a violation of fundamental rights.
Similarly, the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights condemned what it called a “gestapo-style” midnight raid on student hostels, arguing that police lacked evidence linking many of those arrested to any wrongdoing.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in, demanding the release of detainees and emphasising that dialogue, not detention, should follow peaceful civic engagement.
Authorities continue to investigate the broader unrest in Ekpoma, where lingering insecurity, including kidnappings and violent crime, has fuelled longstanding public frustration. While the screening and release of legitimate students proceed, anyone found to be involved in violence or criminal activity is expected to face legal consequences under the law.
Governor Okpebholo has urged residents to remain calm as peace is gradually restored to the community and as normal civic and academic life resumes.
