The Edo State Government on Wednesday said that 38 students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, arrested over last weekend’s protest in the area will be released
The Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, who disclosed this to Channels Television on Wednesday, said while some were released on Tuesday, others would regain freedom later today.
Iyamu claimed the unrest was instigated by outsiders, who he said “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties.” He added that “some items were stolen from the palace of the monarch in the area.”
Following the restoration of calm, the Edo State Government has approved the resumption of academic activities at the university.
The arrests reportedly followed a protest on Saturday initially aimed at highlighting insecurity in Ekpoma, which later turned violent after suspected hoodlums hijacked the demonstration, attacked traders, and set tyres on the roads to block traffic.
However, the Edo State Government rejected claims that the incident was a student protest, insisting it was a “coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state.” The government also denied that the arrested individuals were AAU students or that arrests were made within student hostels
