AAU, Edo Gov. Accused Of Detaining 3 Former SUG Leaders Over Ekpoma Protest

Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, in collaboration with the Edo State Government, has been accused of secretly arresting and detaining three former leaders of the Student Union Government (SUG) in connection with a recent protest against escalating insecurity in the area. The alleged detainees include Lifted Oyinbo, former Secretary-General of the AAU SUG; Igoh Christopher Ayanor, former Senate President; and Andrew Oghenovo, former Financial Secretary of the SUG and current Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Drug Abuse to the Edo State Government. Sources indicate that another former student leader may also be in custody, though details remain unconfirmed.

The arrests reportedly occurred discreetly by operatives from the Ekpoma Police Division, after which the individuals were transferred to the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). They have been held for over a week without being formally charged, granted access to legal counsel, or allowed visits from family members, raising serious concerns about due process and human rights violations.

The detentions are linked to a peaceful demonstration organised in Ekpoma following the kidnapping of an AAU student and the killing of another by suspected kidnappers. The protest, which garnered significant public support, aimed to highlight the deteriorating security situation around the university community and demand urgent government intervention. However, the event turned chaotic when military personnel allegedly opened fire, injuring a protester identified as Osagie Abraham. This led to the initial arrest of over 52 protesters, who were remanded by a high court in Edo State.

The mass arrests sparked widespread outrage, with condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), civil society organisations, rights groups, and prominent figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. They described the actions as excessive and a breach of the right to peaceful assembly, calling for dialogue instead of repression. In response to the backlash, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo ordered the release of the detained students and others, with the first batch of seven freed on January 14, 2026. The release process was supervised by the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, who emphasised that only verified genuine students would be let go, while non-students would face further investigation and prosecution. NANS hailed the decision, noting it brought relief to the affected families and restored calm to the campus.

However, shortly after the students’ release, allegations emerged that key figures suspected of coordinating the protest were targeted in a follow-up operation. Sources claim this represents a pattern of selective repression against former student leaders who remain influential in the university community.

Governor Okpebholo, in a meeting with AAU management and SUG representatives, attributed the unrest to a group known as the “Ambrose Alli Comrade Community.” He described them as non-students who loiter around the campus, engage in unlawful activities, extort students, and exploit insecurity to cause chaos. The governor dismissed reports of genuine kidnappings as “false and stage-managed” to mislead the public, insisting the violence was not orchestrated by actual students. He vowed to pursue anyone sponsoring or using hoodlums to destabilise communities, regardless of their political affiliations, stating, “I don’t care whether you are a politician or not. If you are using people to destroy our land and economy, we will go after you.” Okpebholo also assured that no arrests occurred within the university premises and promised swift release for any verified students caught in the crossfire.

AAU SUG President Osadebamwen Ehizojie Michael participated in the closed-door meeting with the governor but has not issued a public statement on the matter. Meanwhile, families of the detained former leaders, along with colleagues and human rights advocates, have voiced deep alarm over their unknown exact whereabouts and the denial of visitor access since the transfer from Ekpoma Police Division.

As of press time, neither the Edo State Police Command nor the state government has provided an official response to the allegations, including clarification on charges or the legal grounds for the ongoing detentions. Stakeholders, including alumni and civil rights groups, are intensifying calls for transparency, adherence to due process, and the immediate release or court charging of the individuals to uphold fundamental human rights.