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By Our Correspondent
Students, Demands Immediate Freedom
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly condemned the detention of 52 Ambrose Alli University (AAU) students remanded after a protest in Edo State, describing the action as an attack on youths who dared to speak up against insecurity. She has demanded their immediate release, insisting that peaceful protest must never be treated as a crime.
The students were arrested following a demonstration in Ekpoma over the rising cases of kidnappings, killings, and general insecurity in the area. What began as a call for safety and government intervention reportedly ended with mass arrests, after which the students were arraigned and remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faulted the response of the authorities, stressing that young Nigerians should not be punished for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest. She warned that silencing students through intimidation and detention only deepens anger and mistrust, rather than solving the real problems confronting their communities.
The senator urged the Edo State Government and security agencies to confront the root causes of the protest by tackling insecurity head-on, rather than clamping down on unarmed students demanding protection.
According to her, meaningful dialogue and responsive leadership remain the only sustainable path to peace.
She also appealed to the judiciary to act swiftly and fairly, noting that prolonged detention could disrupt the students’ education and damage their future.
As public outrage continues to grow, civil society groups and concerned Nigerians are echoing the call for the immediate release of the AAU students and a renewed commitment to protecting fundamental human rights.
