A court in Edo State has ordered the remand of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, in prison custody for 14 days, following their arrest during protests over insecurity and student kidnappings.
A compiled list of those affected shows that most of the students are just 21 years old. The arrests have sparked widespread outrage, with critics describing the action as excessive and unjust. According to reports, the students were allegedly picked up from their hostels around midnight by operatives of the Nigerian Police after staging protests demanding better protection from kidnappings in the area.
Eyewitness accounts further claim that 48 of the students were confined in a police van for over two hours before being taken to prison, raising additional concerns about their treatment and adherence to due process.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism toward the Nigerian Police, the Edo State Government, and Governor Monday Okpebholo, with many questioning why young students seeking safety are being punished rather than protected.
Observers have also pointed to what they describe as a troubling double standard, noting that children of political elites often enjoy safety and freedom abroad, while Nigerian students face detention for speaking out against insecurity at home.
Human rights advocates argue that the students’ actions were justified and peaceful, emphasizing that demanding protection from kidnapping should not be criminalized. They are calling for the immediate review of the case, the release of the students, and accountability for all officials involved.
As public reactions continue to mount, many Nigerians are asking a critical question: Would the response have been the same if the children of top political leaders were involved?
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