Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the arrest and detention of dozens of students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, labelling it a disturbing display of growing intolerance and heavy-handedness under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The students were detained following a protest against rising insecurity, including kidnappings, in the Ekpoma area. Reports indicate that the demonstration, which began peacefully, was later hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in vandalism and looting. Authorities responded with a midnight raid on student hostels, leading to the arrest of at least 52 individuals, many identified as AAU students, who were subsequently remanded by a court.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, Atiku described the government’s approach as unacceptable.
“The level of intolerance and high-handedness of the Bola Tinubu administration is concerning. It is unacceptable that the authorities’ response to students’ protest against insecurity in the Ekpoma area of Edo State is to arrest and detain dozens of students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU),” he wrote.
Atiku emphasised that the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally protected and affirmed by judicial precedents.
“The right to protest is not only enshrined in the constitution but has also been validated by the courts,” he stated.
He reminded the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government of its core duties.
“Meanwhile, I wish to remind the Tinubu-led APC administration that the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the citizens,” Atiku said.
The former vice president argued that students should not face punishment for voicing legitimate fears about their safety.
He contrasted the authorities’ response to protesters with their approach to serious criminal threats.
“If the energy with which innocent students and citizens are arrested for raising concerns about insecurity were deployed to fighting terrorism and banditry, instead of negotiating with the criminals, our communities would be safer,” he asserted.
Atiku demanded swift action to resolve the situation.
“I call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustifiably detained for asserting their legitimate rights to protest,” he concluded.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and civil rights groups such as SERAP and HURIWA, all calling for the students’ release and urging authorities to prioritise addressing insecurity over suppressing dissent.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has denied that the unrest was a student-led protest, attributing it to non-student elements and criminal groups. He has initiated steps to release bona fide students while intensifying security operations in the area. Updates suggest some releases may be underway following interventions by government officials and stakeholders.
