The Edo State Police Command has released the first group of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) students who were arrested during a recent protest.
The students were handed over to the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, on Monday evening.
COMMISSIONER CLARIFIES SITUATION
Speaking with journalists in Benin, Iyamu said the released students were found to be innocent.
However, he noted that some individuals had exploited the protest to loot and cause harm:
“One thing everybody needs to understand is that the governor of Edo State is the governor of everybody. Some persons who tagged themselves as students went on a rampage, and from a protest, it turned out to be a riot — stealing, maiming, going into the palace of the King to steal his wife’s weavon, and even taking Indomie. That is no longer a protest.”
He stressed that the governor’s responsibility is to protect the lives and property of all residents, including students:
“The police did their job, carried out the raid, and at the same end of the day, those not culpable should be released. That’s the instruction of the governor, and that is what we are doing.”
Iyamu added a cautionary note for future protests:
“Some people should learn to look at issues holistically. If someone calls himself a student and kills somebody, he should be brought to book.”
WHY STUDENTS PROTESTED
Sources indicate that the protest was sparked by rising kidnapping cases in Ekpoma, prompting students to demonstrate against perceived inaction by security operatives.
While some students engaged in peaceful protest, others reportedly escalated the situation, leading to police intervention.
