The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has confirmed the release of 52 youths, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, who were arrested on Monday during a protest over security concerns in the community.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the National President of NANS, Comrade Oladoja Olushola, the association said its leadership carried out a profiling exercise which revealed that 38 of those arrested were students of Ambrose Alli University, while the remaining 14 were youths from the host community.
According to NANS, steps were taken to secure the release of both students and non-students, citing the close relationship between the university community and local youths.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) national leadership hereby confirms the release of the fifty-two (52) youths detained in connection with the protest in Edo State. Our profiling findings revealed that 38 of the arrested youths are students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, while the remaining 14 are youths from the host community. In recognition of the interconnectedness of students and community youths, NANS engaged relevant authorities and successfully negotiated the release of all 52 detainees, alongside the withdrawal of all charges,” the statement said.
NANS commended the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for what it described as his open-mindedness, sense of responsibility and readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with student leaders.
The association noted that the governor’s decision to adopt dialogue and negotiation, rather than a hardline approach, helped to prevent further tension that could have escalated into avoidable unrest and disrupted governance in the state.
The student body said the outcome of the engagement highlighted the effectiveness of dialogue and strategic negotiations in resolving grievances, stressing that peaceful engagement remains a more productive alternative to confrontation.
While reaffirming that protest remains a constitutional right, NANS urged students and youths to prioritise dialogue, negotiation and structured engagement when addressing concerns, warning that repeated confrontations could strain relationships with authorities and undermine social progress.
The association also acknowledged the roles played by the State Security Service (SSS), the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Asefon Sunday Dayo. NANS said their interventions were instrumental in facilitating communication, building trust and ensuring the peaceful resolution of the matter.
NANS further clarified that although there was an initial commitment to release the detainees earlier, due process had to be followed to ensure proper documentation, verification and identification before their release.
The association also expressed appreciation to the Edo State Chairman of the NANS Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Comrade Yakubu Peter Odion, the President of the Students’ Union Government of Ambrose Alli University, Comrade Osadebamen Ainyanbhor Ehizojie, and other student leaders and stakeholders for their contributions.
NANS reaffirmed its commitment to defending the interests of Nigerian students, upholding the rule of law and promoting peaceful and lawful advocacy across the country.
NANS Confirms Release of 52 Youths Arrested During Security Protest in Edo
