Students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested and remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following a recent protest over insecurity in the university town, have regained their freedom alongside other detainees.
The release was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
The students were among 52 persons remanded by a Benin High Court on charges bordering on malicious damage and armed robbery after a protest held last Saturday degenerated into violence.
The demonstration, initially described as a peaceful protest by students against rising insecurity in Ekpoma, was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders, looted shops, burnt tyres and blocked major roads in the town.
Several videos showing scenes of destruction and chaos later went viral on social media.
Following their release, Governor Okpebholo met with the affected students and other stakeholders during an engagement held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Benin City.
At the meeting, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reforms and the holistic development of Ambrose Alli University.
The governor expressed deep pain over the violence that trailed the protest, especially against the backdrop of his resolve to revive the institution.
Governor Okpebholo said he was deeply troubled by the state of AAU when he assumed office, describing the institution’s funding situation as unacceptable.
He revealed that while the entire university previously received a monthly subvention of ₦41 million to cover salaries, utilities and other expenses, a single consultant was allegedly paid ₦59 million under the last administration.
To reverse the decline, Okpebholo said his government has increased AAU’s monthly allocation to ₦500 million as part of efforts to revive the institution and restore its academic standards. He also disclosed that the university is burdened with about ₦41 billion in unpaid salary and wage arrears, adding that plans are in place to gradually clear the salary arrears.
The governor urged students to avoid violence and not allow themselves to be manipulated by criminal elements, advising them to pursue their grievances through peaceful engagement.
He condemned the looting and destruction of property during recent protests, describing such actions as harmful to the community.
Okpebholo acknowledged the broader insecurity challenges in Ekpoma and across the country, noting that investigations showed many crimes in the area were perpetrated by locals.
He stressed that insecurity affects everyone equally and pledged that his administration would not allow criminals to find refuge in Edo State.
Commending the governor’s approach, Education Commissioner Dr. Paddy Iyamu praised his decision to prioritise dialogue over force and for facilitating the release of detained students, describing it as evidence of responsive and people-centred leadership.
On Tuesday, the governor ordered the release of protesters who are genuine AAU students, arrested during the protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma.
The governor stated that the protest was not organised by AAU students, describing the incident as a criminal act carried out by non-students hiding around the institution to foment trouble and extort law-abiding students.
The governor disclosed this during a meeting with the AAU’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael, according to a statement signed by Ebojele.
“Intelligence available to us shows that the incident was orchestrated by a group identifying themselves as the ‘Ambrose Alli Comrade Community,’ made up of individuals who are no longer students but loiter around the school environment for unlawful activities,” the statement said.
“Any genuine students who may have been arrested in the course of restoring order would be identified and released without delay.”
“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released to the SUG President. That is a promise I made,” the statement added.
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