Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the release of students and other individuals arrested during the violent protests that swept through Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area, following public outrage over rising insecurity and alleged kidnappings in the community.

The decision came after several days of sustained criticism from student groups, civil society organisations, rights advocates, and prominent political figures who condemned the mass arrests that followed the unrest. Many of those detained were identified as students of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, raising concerns about the criminalisation of protest and the use of sweeping security measures.

According to state officials, the first batch of seven detainees was released on Tuesday under the supervision of the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu. The releases are expected to continue as authorities complete a verification process to separate registered students from non-students arrested during the security operation.

Government outlines conditions for release

Speaking after overseeing the initial releases, Iyamu said the state government was working closely with the Students’ Union Government, SUG, of Ambrose Alli University and relevant security agencies to identify genuine students.

“Only verified students will be released,” Iyamu said. “Those who are not students will continue to face investigation and prosecution in line with the law.”

He explained that the verification exercise was necessary because security operatives had arrested a mix of individuals during and after the protests, including suspected hoodlums allegedly operating around the university environment.

According to Iyamu, the government’s approach aims to balance public safety with fairness, ensuring that innocent students are not punished for crimes they did not commit, while those responsible for violence and destruction are held accountable.

Meeting with student leaders

The releases followed a closed-door meeting between Governor Okpebholo and the AAU SUG President, Osadebamwen Ehizojie Michael. During the meeting, the governor reiterated his position that the violence that engulfed Ekpoma was not organised by students of the university.

Okpebholo told student leaders that the unrest was driven by non-students and criminal elements who had allegedly taken advantage of the insecurity narrative to foment chaos, loot shops, and extort residents and students.

“This was not a students’ protest,” the governor said. “These are people who are no longer students but are hanging around the school, causing trouble and extorting students. We will put an end to that.”

He assured the SUG leadership that any genuine student arrested during the operation to restore order would be released without unnecessary delay.

“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released to the SUG President,” Okpebholo said. “That is a promise I made, and I will do it as quickly as possible.”

How the protests unfolded

The protests began on Saturday, January 10, when residents and students poured into the streets of Ekpoma to express anger over what they described as worsening insecurity and a surge in kidnapping incidents in the town and surrounding communities.

According to reports, the demonstration initially took the form of a peaceful march but later escalated into violence. Markets were set ablaze, shops were looted, and both public and private properties were damaged. Security facilities were also attacked, prompting a forceful response from law enforcement agencies.

In the days that followed, the Edo State Police Command carried out multiple arrests during crowd dispersal operations and subsequent raids on student hostels and private residences. At least 52 people were arrested and later arraigned in court, which ordered their remand at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.

Backlash over arrests and detention

The scale and manner of the arrests triggered widespread backlash. The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, described the detentions as excessive and accused the authorities of violating students’ rights to peaceful protest.

Several civil society organisations and rights groups echoed the criticism, calling for the immediate release of detained students and urging the state government to prioritise dialogue over repression.

Political leaders also weighed in. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly appealed for the release of the students, while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Edo State Government to respect due process and address the grievances that led to the protests.

Analysts say the pressure from multiple fronts played a significant role in pushing the government to review its response. According to Lagos-based public affairs analyst Chidi Okwu, the situation highlighted a recurring challenge for state governments.

“When insecurity protests turn violent, authorities often default to mass arrests,” Okwu said. “But without careful screening, students and peaceful protesters get caught in the dragnet, which deepens mistrust and escalates tensions.”

Governor disputes kidnapping claims

Despite approving the release of detained students, Governor Okpebholo has maintained a firm stance on the root cause of the unrest. He dismissed claims that the protest was triggered by genuine kidnapping incidents, describing the reports as false and deliberately orchestrated.

“The kidnapping they are talking about is fake,” the governor said. “It was stage-managed. They were arranging to kidnap and release themselves.”

Okpebholo said the most painful aspect of the incident was the loss of life recorded during the unrest, though details surrounding the death remain unclear. He condemned the widespread destruction of property in Ekpoma and warned that the state would pursue anyone found to have sponsored or coordinated the violence.

“I don’t care whether you are a politician or not,” he said. “If you are using people to destroy our land and economy, we will go after you.”

Why the development matters

The partial release of detainees marks a critical turning point in the Ekpoma crisis. For students and rights advocates, it signals a willingness by the state government to respond to public pressure and correct perceived excesses by security agencies.

For the government, the episode underscores the political sensitivity of student protests and the risks of a heavy-handed response, especially in a state with a large youth population and a history of campus activism.

Observers note that how the Edo State Government handles the remaining detainees and addresses insecurity concerns in Ekpoma could shape public trust in the months ahead.

As of Tuesday evening, state officials confirmed that more releases were expected as verification of detained students continued. Rights groups have insisted that the process must be transparent and that families of detainees should be kept informed.

Beyond the releases, residents and student leaders are calling for concrete steps to address security challenges in Ekpoma, including improved policing, better lighting in vulnerable areas, and sustained engagement with community leaders.

Suggested visuals to accompany this report include a map of Ekpoma highlighting protest flashpoints, a timeline of events from the January 10 protest to the first releases, and a chart showing the number of arrests and releases over time.

While tensions in Ekpoma remain high, the release of detained students has raised cautious hopes of de-escalation. Whether this moment leads to lasting dialogue or merely a pause before renewed unrest will depend on how decisively authorities address both accountability for violence and the underlying fears that drove residents and students to the streets.