Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal authorities over the arrest of 52 Ambrose Alli College (AAU) college students who protested rising insecurity in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Atiku made the remarks in an announcement issued on Friday, highlighting what he described because the high-handedness of the Tinubu administration.
His feedback come amid rising issues over residents’ proper to protest and recurring incidents of insecurity within the state.
What he stated
Atiku condemned the arrest of scholars and described it as unacceptable, emphasizing that the precise to protest is enshrined within the structure and upheld by courts.
He criticized the federal government for specializing in detaining college students as a substitute of prioritizing efforts to fight terrorism and banditry.
“The extent of intolerance and high-handedness of the Bola Tinubu administration is regarding. It’s unacceptable that the authorities’ response to college students’ protest in opposition to insecurity within the Ekpoma space of Edo State is to arrest and detain dozens of scholars of the Ambrose Alli College (AAU),”he stated.
Atiku additional questioned the federal government’s priorities, suggesting that the vitality utilized in detaining college students may very well be redirected towards combating crime.
“If the vitality with which harmless college students and residents are arrested for elevating issues about insecurity had been deployed to combating terrorism and banditry, as a substitute of negotiating with the criminals, our communities could be safer,” he said
The previous vice chairman additionally known as for the fast launch of these detained, emphasizing constitutional rights.
The incident in Ekpoma started on January 10, 2026, when college students and native residents took to the streets to protest the alarming surge in kidnappings and insecurity within the space.
Initially peaceable, the demonstration reportedly deteriorated after some members engaged in looting of retailers and injury to property, together with assaults on native constructions. Viral footage and eyewitness accounts counsel the violence unfolded as crowds clashed with police and safety personnel tasked with sustaining order.
Within the early hours of Monday, safety forces carried out raids throughout Ekpoma, arresting scores of younger folks believed to have been concerned within the unrest.
A few of these taken into custody had been reportedly picked up from their hostels. In line with experiences, some kin and authorized representatives are contesting that many didn’t take part within the protest or any related violence.
A Benin Excessive Court docket remanded the 52 suspects on the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following arraignment on expenses associated to alleged vandalism and armed theft.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan additionally weighed in on the scenario, calling for dialogue slightly than detention.
“Dialogue not Detention!!! Launch Detained 52 AAU College students. Our youths should not be criminalised for talking up and protesting about points that have an effect on their atmosphere, welfare and future.
“The federal government of Edo state should deal with addressing the issues of kidnappings in addition to different types of insecurity and never suppressing discerning voices,” she said
What you need to know
Edo State has been scuffling with a deepening safety disaster lengthy earlier than the latest Ekpoma protest. Kidnapping for ransom has turn into a frequent threat throughout many communities, forcing residents to remain indoors and disrupting on a regular basis life.
One of the vital latest incidents occurred in December 2025, when the Edo State Police Command confirmed the rescue of 11 out of 18 passengers kidnapped by unknown gunmen alongside the Benin–Akure Freeway.
The victims had been kidnapped on Friday, December 12, close to Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Native Authorities Space whereas travelling in a car operated by a preferred industrial transport firm.