38 AAU Students to be Released After Unrest in Ekpoma

The Edo State Government has announced the release of 38 Ambrose Alli University students arrested during the recent Ekpoma unrest, describing the incident as a coordinated riot rather than a peaceful student protest.

The Edo State Government has announced that 38 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, arrested during unrest in the area last weekend, will be released. The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that some students were freed on Tuesday, while others would regain their freedom later on Wednesday.

The unrest was allegedly orchestrated by individuals living outside Edo State, who “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties.” Some items were also stolen from the palace of the monarch in the area. Iyamu noted that the government had previously received a peaceful protest from students on May 13, 2025, regarding cultism, which was handled smoothly.

The arrests followed a protest on Saturday, initially aimed at highlighting insecurity in Ekpoma, which later turned violent after suspected hoodlums hijacked the demonstration. Several activists and politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, condemned the arrests, describing them as a suppression of democratic expression.

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

The government has approved the resumption of academic activities at the university, with students expected to return to school on Monday. Security agencies remain deployed to sustain peace in the area.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PUNCH