The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong condemnation and call for action following the arrest and continued detention of 52 students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Arrests Follow Peaceful Protest Over Insecurity
The students were taken into custody after organizing a peaceful demonstration. Their protest aimed to highlight the alarming rise in cases of kidnapping and general insecurity affecting both students and the local communities surrounding the university campus. According to NANS, the protest was a necessary action to draw official attention to security challenges that have created an atmosphere of fear, disrupted academic activities, and posed direct threats to lives.
NANS Condemns "Unjust and Oppressive" Detention
In a statement released on 13 January 2026 and signed by the association's National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, NANS labeled the arrest and subsequent court remand of the 52 individuals as unjust and oppressive. The student body asserted that the actions by security agencies constitute a direct violation of the students' fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, rights which are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Adeyemi expressed deep concern that instead of addressing the legitimate security fears raised by the protesters, authorities allegedly resorted to the use of force. This led to the arrests and the court-ordered remand of the students. NANS warned that the continued detention could further escalate tensions on the AAU campus and severely undermine confidence in the justice system among the student population.
Call for Action and Warning of Escalation
The association has made a direct appeal to the Edo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and all relevant authorities. Their demands are twofold: first, to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all 52 students, and second, to concretely address the pervasive insecurity plaguing the institution and its host communities.
The NANS statement contained a stern warning. It indicated that failure to secure the students' release would compel the national student body to mobilize its members across the country for widespread actions in defense of students' rights and safety. "Any attempt to delay, manipulate or justify their continued detention will be viewed as a deliberate act of oppression against the Nigerian student community," the statement read.
NANS further criticized the authorities' approach, stating it was alarming that students speaking out against genuine security threats were being criminalized. This, they argued, is a counterproductive and unjust strategy that only serves to heighten tensions. The association reaffirmed its total solidarity with the affected students and their families, vowing to take all lawful steps necessary if the demands are not met.
