The Edo State Government has announced that 38 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested during last weekend’s unrest, will be released.
The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, told Channels Television on The Morning Brief on Wednesday that while some students were freed on Tuesday, the remaining individuals would regain their freedom later on Wednesday.
Iyamu explained that the unrest was instigated by people from outside Edo State who “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties,” adding that “some items were stolen from the palace of the local monarch.”
He further stated that, following the restoration of order, the government has approved the resumption of academic activities at the university.
Reports indicate that the arrests stemmed from a protest on Saturday, which was initially intended to highlight insecurity in Ekpoma but escalated into violence after suspected hoodlums hijacked the demonstration, attacked traders, and blocked roads with burning tyres.
Several activists and politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, condemned the arrests, describing them as an infringement on democratic expression.
However, the Edo State Government rejected claims that the unrest was a student protest, insisting the incident was a “coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state.” It also dismissed reports that the arrested individuals were AAU students or that arrests occurred within student hostels.