Tension in Ekpoma as Court Orders Remand of 52 AAU Students over Anti-Kidnapping Protest
There was palpable tension and emotional scenes in Ekpoma, Edo State, on Monday after a Magistrate Court ordered the remand of 52 persons, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), who were arrested in connection with a recent protest against insecurity in the town.
The suspects were arraigned following a demonstration that began as a peaceful protest against rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime in Ekpoma and its surrounding communities. However, authorities alleged that the protest later degenerated into violence, resulting in vandalism of public and private property.
According to court proceedings, the protesters were arrested by security operatives after reports that parts of Ekpoma were shut down, with roads blocked and commercial activities disrupted. The police further alleged that some of the protesters attacked buildings, damaged vehicles and caused unrest in the university town.
When the suspects were brought before the court, the atmosphere became emotional as family members, fellow students and sympathisers watched from outside the courtroom. Some relatives reportedly broke down in tears following the magistrate’s decision to remand the accused persons pending further investigation.
The court ordered that the 52 suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, while the case was adjourned to a later date to allow the police conclude their investigation and legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Police prosecutors told the court that the suspects were arrested for offences bordering on unlawful assembly, vandalism, destruction of property and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace. They argued that the severity of the allegations made it unsafe to grant bail at this stage.
Defence counsel, however, pleaded with the court to consider the students’ status and the circumstances that led to the protest. The lawyers maintained that the demonstration was motivated by genuine concerns over the safety of residents and students, noting that Ekpoma had witnessed repeated reports of abductions and criminal attacks in recent months.
Outside the court, several students and civil society groups condemned the arrests, insisting that the protesters were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) described the remand of the students as excessive and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
In a statement, NANS warned that continued detention of the students could escalate tension within the university community and beyond. Rights groups also demanded that the Edo State Government intervene to ensure that justice is served without suppressing legitimate public grievances.
Residents of Ekpoma, while expressing concern over the destruction allegedly linked to the protest, insisted that the root issue remains the worsening security situation in the area. Many residents said kidnappings and armed attacks have disrupted daily life, with fear becoming a constant reality for students and traders alike.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Command maintained that investigations were ongoing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The case has continued to spark debate nationwide, raising fresh questions about the balance between public order, citizens’ rights and the government’s responsibility to address insecurity affecting students and host communities.