A High Court in Benin City on Monday ordered the remand of 52 persons, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre following their involvement in protests against a surge in kidnappings in Edo State.
The suspects, who were brought to the Criminal Court II in a police Black Maria, face charges including arson, malicious damage, and armed robbery.
The presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, while ruling on an ex parte motion brought by the police, noted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail for the specific charges filed. He directed the defense counsel to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court and adjourned the matter to February 26, 2026, for further hearing.
The Midnight Crackdown
The mass arraignment follows a series of coordinated midnight raids conducted by the Edo State Police Command across private hostels in Ekpoma on Sunday.
Students and parents who spoke to journalists outside the courtroom described the arrests as indiscriminate. Many of the suspects were reportedly picked up from their beds at approximately 3:00 a.m., hours after the Saturday protests had subsided.
“They came to the hostels when everyone was asleep,” said a student who escaped the raid. “Most of those remanded today were not even part of the street demonstrations; they were simply caught in the dragnet because they are students.”
Security Crisis in Ekpoma
The unrest in the university town was triggered by a dramatic spike in insecurity. On Friday, a young man was killed by gunmen, while a prominent resident, Dr. Abu Babatunde, was abducted, with his captors reportedly demanding a ₦100 million ransom.
On Saturday, residents and students took to the streets, blocking major highways including the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi road. While the protest began peacefully, authorities alleged it was hijacked by hoodlums who vandalized the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, and destroyed campaign billboards.
University Shutdown and “Renovation” Claims
In a move seen by many as a tactic to disperse the protesting students, the management of AAU announced an immediate shutdown of the institution on Saturday.
In a statement signed by the Head of Information, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, the university cited “ongoing renovation works on student structures” as the reason for the closure.
“This decision has become necessary to enable the University to complete ongoing renovation works… any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect,” the statement read.
However, student leaders argue the renovation claim is a “convenient excuse” to neutralize the protests and avoid accountability for the security of the campus community.
Outcry and Condemnation
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the remand, describing the charges of armed robbery against the students as “bogus” and an attempt to criminalize legitimate grievances.
“Demanding safety should never be met with repression,” said NANS spokesperson Adeyemi Ajasa. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of these students.”
As of Monday evening, the 52 suspects have been transported to the Ubiaja facility, where they are expected to remain until their legal counsel can secure a bail hearing in February.
