The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vehemently condemned the arrest and court-ordered remand of 52 students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, describing the action as unjust, oppressive, and a blatant violation of constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
The students, many of whom are undergraduates at AAU, were among a larger group arrested following a protest that began on Saturday, January 10, 2026, against the alarming rise in kidnappings, abductions, and general insecurity plaguing Ekpoma and surrounding communities in Esan West Local Government Area.
The demonstration, initially peaceful and aimed at urging authorities to protect lives and property, reportedly escalated into violence, with reports of vandalism at the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, looting of shops, and other destruction.
In response, security operatives conducted midnight raids on student hostels across Ekpoma, arresting individuals including some who claimed they were asleep and uninvolved starting around 3 a.m.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, the 52 suspects, including AAU students, were arraigned before the Edo State High Court in Benin City on charges including malicious damage and armed robbery.
The court remanded them to Ubiaja Correctional Centre until February 26, 2026, for further hearing.
In a strongly worded statement signed by NANS National Public Relations Officer Samson Adeyemi (also referred to as Adeyemi Ajasa in some reports), the body described the detention as "ridiculous, unacceptable, and deeply disturbing."
NANS emphasized that the protest was a legitimate exercise of rights to highlight severe security threats that have caused fear among students, disrupted academic activities, and endangered lives.
"Rather than addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the students, security agencies allegedly resorted to the use of force, leading to the arrest and subsequent remand of the protesters by a court," the statement noted.
It further warned that continued detention could escalate campus tensions, erode public trust in the justice system, and subject the students to unnecessary psychological trauma and intimidation.
NANS called on the Edo State Government, Nigeria Police Force, AAU management, and other authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of the detained students while guaranteeing their physical and mental health.
The association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all 52 individuals, cautioning that any delay, manipulation, or justification of the detention would be seen as deliberate oppression against the Nigerian student community.
"We stand in total solidarity with the affected students and their families. We will not hesitate to mobilise and take all lawful steps necessary should these students not be released immediately and unconditionally," the statement concluded, hinting at potential nationwide actions if the demands are ignored.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with additional calls for release from groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
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