The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the continued detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, who were remanded in custody following a protest against kidnapping and insecurity in the state.
In a statement issued by its National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, NANS described the detention as disturbing and unacceptable, stressing that students have a constitutional right to engage in peaceful protest without intimidation or harassment.
The association stated that demanding safety should not attract punishment, noting that peaceful protest is not a crime. It called on the Edo State Government, the management of Ambrose Alli University, and the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the detained students.
NANS demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the students, warning that any delay or attempt to justify their continued detention would be viewed as an act of oppression against Nigerian students.
It criticised authorities for allegedly prioritising the arrest of students rather than addressing the rising insecurity affecting campuses and host communities.
The student body also expressed solidarity with the affected students and their families, pledging to explore all lawful options should the students remain in detention. According to NANS, Nigerian students deserve protection rather than suppression.
The 52 students were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre by a Benin High Court over charges bordering on malicious damage and armed robbery.
However, the presiding judge ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction and directed that bail applications be filed at the Ubiaja High Court, adjourning the case to a later date.
Some of the detained students reportedly said they were arrested in the early hours of the morning while asleep in their hostels, insisting that they neither participated in the protest nor in the violence that followed.
The protest, which was initially staged to draw attention to rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity, was later hijacked by hoodlums who attacked traders, burnt tyres and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, an incident that attracted widespread condemnation.
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