Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the release of students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, arrested during a recent protest against kidnapping in the state.
Last weekend, residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities took to the streets to protest the rising spate of kidnapping in the area.
The demonstration, which had AAU students in attendance, was marred by violence, with military personnel reportedly shooting and injuring a protester identified as Osagie Abraham.
Consequently, a High Court in Edo remanded 52 protesters after their arrest by the police.
Read Also: Nigerian gospel artiste, Bunmi Akinnaanu, dies in battle with swollen leg
But on Tuesday, Patrick Egbojele, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said Okpebholo had directed the students’ release following a meeting with the leadership of the students’ union government of the university.
The governor said intelligence available to the state government showed that the violence was carried out by non-students who loiter around the university environment and extort students.
“I have met with the SUG president of AAU Ekpoma. We had a very lengthy discussion, and as I have consistently said, this was not a students’ protest,” the governor was quoted as saying.
“These are people who are no longer students but are just hanging around the school, causing trouble and extorting students.”
Okpebholo said any genuine student arrested would be identified and released without delay.
“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released to the SUG president. That is a promise I made, and I will do it as quickly as possible,” the governor said.
“I don’t care whether you are a politician or not. If you are using people to destroy our land and economy, we will go after you.”
Read Also: Court remands 52 anti-kidnapping protesters in Edo
Okpebholo said the state government has nothing against AAU students, adding that no arrests were made within the university campus.
Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson, said Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has directed Monday Agbonika, commissioner of police in Edo, to screen those arrested and identify “genuine students”.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Hundeyin said only suspects found culpable after investigation would be arraigned.
“The inspector-general of police has instructed the commissioner of police to identify those who are genuinely students,” he said on Tuesday night.
