Senator Natacha Akpoti Drums Support for 52 AAU Students Arrested After Ekpoma Protest

Senator Natacha Akpoti has spoken up in solidarity with the 52 AAU students who were arrested and detained after a protest in Ekpoma, Edo State, reportedly turned violent. The protest, which was initially peaceful, was held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The demonstration was staged by residents of the Ekpoma community in a bid to call the Edo State government’s attention to growing frustration over rising cases of kidnapping and the deteriorating security situation in the area.

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In a surprising turn of events, many of the protesters were arrested and held at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following last weekend’s violent protest in Ekpoma. This development has prompted reactions from several Nigerians and concerned bodies, especially Senator Natacha Akpoti, who took to her Instagram to criticise the actions of the Edo State government while pledging solidarity with the 52 AAU students arrested over the Ekpoma protest, writing:

“Dialogue not Detention!!!
Release Detained 52 AAU Students.
Our youths must not be criminalised for speaking up and protesting about issues that affect their environment, welfare and future.
The government of Edo state must focus on addressing the concerns of kidnappings as well as other forms of insecurity and not suppressing discerning voices.
In solidarity,
Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan
Concerned Kogi Central for Nigeria 🇳🇬”

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SERAP Calls Arrest of AAU Students a Violation of Fundamental Rights

The senator representing Kogi Central is not the only one to speak up against the arrest of the students. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has also condemned the arrests and appealed to the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

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The organisation described the actions of the Edo State government as a violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, while urging the government to desist from its “policy of crushing peaceful student protests”:

“Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all 52 people, mostly students of Ekpoma Ambrose Alli University, who are reportedly detained at Ubiaja Correctional Centre over last Saturday’s protest in Ekpoma, Esan-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Authorities must immediately drop their policy of crushing peaceful student protests, respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and drop all arbitrary charges and sanctions against students for their involvement in them.”

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