Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has strongly criticised the arrest and alleged detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, describing the action as an attack on democratic principles and youth participation in governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Nivo News, the senator, in a solidarity statement issued on Tuesday, warned that suppressing student voices through arrests and detention poses a serious threat to democracy, stressing that peaceful protest and civic engagement must never be treated as criminal acts. She maintained that dialogue remains the only sustainable means of resolving grievances, especially when young people raise concerns about issues affecting their future.

Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that the detained students should be released immediately, noting that criminalising youth activism only deepens mistrust between the government and the governed. She faulted the handling of the incident by authorities in Edo State, urging them to redirect their focus to addressing the worsening insecurity confronting residents, particularly the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes.

The lawmaker emphasised that peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right and an essential instrument for accountability, especially for students whose lives and prospects are directly shaped by governance outcomes. She added that silencing students through force undermines public confidence and widens the gap between leaders and citizens, calling instead for sincere engagement and open dialogue.

Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her solidarity with the affected students and their families, stating that her intervention aligns with her longstanding commitment to justice, democratic freedoms and youth empowerment.

The development followed the arrest of no fewer than 52 AAU students during a late-night operation by security operatives in Ekpoma, after a protest over the deteriorating security situation in the state. The students were subsequently arraigned in court for their alleged involvement in the demonstration.

The arrests have also drawn condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which described the continued detention of the students as unacceptable and disturbing, insisting that citizens exercising their constitutional rights should not be subjected to intimidation or harassment.

However, security authorities in Edo State have defended the arrests, claiming the protest was infiltrated by hoodlums who allegedly attacked traders, set tyres ablaze and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma during the unrest.