Outrage as NANS Condemns Detention of 52 AAU Students After Edo Protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the arrest and continued detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, following a protest in Edo State.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the student body described the arrests as excessive and an attack on students’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression. NANS said the detained students were exercising their civic responsibility by voicing concerns during the protest, stressing that such actions should not be met with intimidation or force.

The association called on security agencies and the Edo State Government to immediately release the students without conditions, warning that the situation could escalate if the matter is not urgently resolved. According to NANS, dialogue—not arrests—remains the appropriate way to address grievances raised by students.

NANS also urged authorities to respect the rule of law and protect the welfare of students, noting that the continued detention could disrupt academic activities and further heighten tension on campus.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights and interests of Nigerian students nationwide and vowed to take necessary steps to ensure justice for the affected AAU students if their demands are ignored.