Edo Anti Kidnapping Protest: Akpot-Uduaghan, HURIWA Flay Arrest Of Ekpoma Protesters

By Ayodele Oni

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the 52 suspects, among whom are students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, (AAU), Edo State, who were arrested following protests over rising kidnappings and other security threats in the region.

The Kogi Central Senator in a statement on Tuesday, criticised the arrest and continued detention of the students.

She described their arrest as an attempt to stifle legitimate civic participation and silence young people speaking out against insecurity.

The Senator argued that demonstrations and public advocacy should not be treated as criminal acts in a democracy.

This is even as she accused the Edo State authorities of missing the real issue, urging them to confront the worsening security situation, rather than targeting those drawing attention to it.

“Dialogue, not detention, is the pathway to peace and progress. Our youths must not be criminalised for speaking up and protesting about issues that affect their environment, welfare, and future.

“The government of Edo State must focus on addressing the concerns of kidnappings and other forms of insecurity, rather than suppressing discerning and courageous voices,” she said.

The senator stressed that peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution and remains one of the most important ways citizens, especially young people, can demand accountability from those in power.

“Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust and widens the gap between government and the governed. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses,” Akpoti-Uduaghan added.

She expressed solidarity with the detained students and their families, saying her intervention is consistent with her long-standing commitment to justice, democratic freedoms and the empowerment of young Nigerians.

HURIWA described as worrisome the decision of the Edo state Police command on the orders of Governor Monday Okpebholo to sneak into the students hostels of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma and abducted them forcefully.

HURIWA in a statement by Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator of the organisation, demanded of Governor Okpebholo to immediately free the prisoners of conscience.

It noted that the students numbering about 52 were randomly arrested in their hostel on the “wrongful pretence” that they participated in the anti-kidnapping, anti-insecurity protest in Ekpoma, Edo state, stressing that there was no justification whatsoever for such an action under the Nigerian law.

The human rights group pointed out that the 52 students were remanded in a correctional facility after a midnight crackdown by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on hostels across Ekpoma in the Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

It particularly condemned the application of brute force and the adoption of the methodology used by Islamic terrorists and kidnappers by the Nigeria police, thus demanded their freedom without further delay.

HURIWA said; “Any attempt to detain these students longer than prescribed by the constitution which is 24 hours is unconstitutional, thus termed despicable and unjust”.