Students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who were arrested and remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre over a recent protest, have been released alongside other detainees.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The release was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.

The students were among 52 persons remanded by a Benin High Court on charges bordering on malicious damage and armed robbery.

They were arrested after a peaceful protest against insecurity in Ekpoma last Saturday turned violent.

Hoodlums reportedly hijacked the protest, attacking traders, setting tyres ablaze and blocking roads, scenes which were captured in viral videos on social media.

Okpebholo met with the released students and other affected persons during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Benin, where he assured them of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reforms and the development of Ambrose Alli University.

The governor said he was deeply pained by the violence, especially given his resolve to revive the university.

The governor said, “I was highly in pain when I saw what was happening in my place. The day I was sworn in, I said I was going to revive Ambrose Alli University.

“They were paying light bills, water, printing, salaries and everything from ₦41 million, which was not enough for anything at all. But on record, one consultant was receiving ₦59 million under the last administration, while the entire university community was receiving ₦41 million.”

He added that his administration increased the subvention to ₦500m as part of efforts to reposition the institution.

He said, “Since then, it has been about how to revive the school, how to move the school forward and how to reposition it again.”

The governor also disclosed that outstanding salary and wage arrears owed to AAU staff stood at about ₦41bn, noting that plans were underway to gradually offset the debt.

He cautioned students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, urging them to focus on their studies and pursue peaceful engagement.

He said, “Somebody said he is a student, and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used. Read your books so that you can be like us.”

Okpebholo acknowledged the security challenges facing Ekpoma and other parts of the country, describing insecurity as a collective problem.

He, however, said investigations revealed that many criminal activities around Ekpoma were carried out by locals.

The governor condemned the destruction of shops and looting during the protest, describing such actions as counterproductive.

He said, “The same way you are afraid of your life, is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody, and so it’s a common problem we all have.”

He assured residents and students that criminals would not be allowed to find safe haven in Edo State.

Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, praised the governor for facilitating the release of the students and choosing dialogue over force.

Other speakers at the meeting also commended the governor’s intervention and commitment to education and peace.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; the Chief of Staff, Gani Audu; the Minister of Youth; the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Youth Engagement; and other top government officials.

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