Edo Moves to Free Remanded AAU Students over Protest
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 their alleged involvement in a protest against rising cases of kidnapping in the community.
The students were part of 52 persons arrested on Monday after a demonstration in Ekpoma over insecurity reportedly turned violent, leading to the destruction of property and disruption of public order.
In response to the development, Governor Monday Okpebholo directed the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, to intervene and facilitate the release of genuine students caught up in the incident.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday during a visit to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, Dr. Iyamu said the state government was committed to ensuring that innocent students were not unjustly punished for exercising their civic rights.
According to him, the government had begun a verification process to identify bona fide AAU students among those remanded, stressing that those confirmed as students would be released once all legal and administrative procedures were concluded.
“The governor is concerned about the welfare of students and does not want innocent young people to suffer unduly. We are here to ensure that students who are genuinely from Ambrose Alli University and had no criminal intent regain their freedom as soon as possible,” Iyamu said.
He, however, noted that individuals found to have engaged in criminal acts during the protest would be made to face the full weight of the law, irrespective of their status.
Iyamu also reiterated the state government’s commitment to addressing security challenges in Ekpoma and other parts of Edo State, assuring residents that concrete measures were being put in place to curb kidnapping and restore peace.
The protest was triggered by renewed concerns over insecurity in Ekpoma, with residents and students decrying alleged cases of abductions in and around the university town.
Meanwhile, the state government has appealed for calm, urging students and residents to allow security agencies and relevant authorities to address the situation through lawful means.
