Akpoti-Uduaghan condemns arrest of 52 AAU students, demands immediate release

 

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has condemned the arrest and alleged detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, calling for their immediate release.

In a solidarity statement issued on Tuesday, the lawmaker described the action as a dangerous suppression of youth voices and democratic expression, warning that protests and civic engagement must never be criminalised in a democracy.

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She said, “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.

“We demand their immediate release from detention.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan faulted the handling of the situation by authorities in Edo State, urging the government to redirect its attention to the worsening insecurity facing residents, including kidnappings and related crimes.

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She stated, “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.”

The senator stressed that peaceful protest remains a constitutional right and an essential tool for accountability, especially for young people whose futures are directly affected by governance failures.

According to her, “Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust and widens the gap between government and the governed. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses.”

She reaffirmed her solidarity with the detained students and their families, noting that her intervention aligns with her broader commitment to justice and youth empowerment.