The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has criticised the arrest and continued detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, describing the action as an unlawful clampdown on youth voices and democratic participation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for the immediate release of the students, insisting that peaceful protest and civic engagement should not be treated as criminal acts in a democratic society.
She said the handling of the situation by authorities in Edo State reflected a failure to prioritise dialogue, arguing that engagement, rather than force, was the appropriate response to students raising concerns about their safety and welfare.
“Dialogue, not detention, is the pathway to peace and progress. Our youths must not be criminalised for speaking up and protesting about issues that affect their environment, welfare and future,” she said.
The lawmaker urged the Edo State Government to redirect its focus towards tackling insecurity, including cases of kidnapping and related crimes, which students say prompted the protest.
“The government of Edo State must focus on addressing the concerns of kidnappings and other forms of insecurity, rather than suppressing discerning and courageous voices,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and an essential tool for accountability, particularly for young people whose futures are directly shaped by governance decisions.
She warned that arrests would only widen the gap between citizens and the state, deepening public mistrust.
At least 52 AAU students were remanded in a correctional facility following a coordinated midnight operation by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area (LGA).
The students were arrested from hostels across the university town and later charged in court for allegedly participating in a protest held the previous Saturday against the worsening security situation in Edo State.
Several students revealed the arrests were indiscriminate and did not take place at the protest venue, instead, police officers were said to have stormed hostels late at night, arresting students from their rooms.
The arrests have drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, including revolutionary activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who also condemned the police action and the role of the state government.
Describing the arrests as an abuse of power, Sowore called on the courts to grant the students bail without delay and dismiss what he described as fabricated charges.
He urged Nigerian students to remain organised and vigilant in the face of repression, ending his statement with the hashtag #RevolutionNow.
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