NANS Hails Release Of AAU Students Arrested Over Ekpoma Protest In Edo

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has hailed the release of the 52 youths detained over a recent violent protest in Edo State.

Confirming their release, the student body commended the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his open-mindedness, sense of responsibility, and willingness to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogues with the leadership of NANS.

Comrade Oladoja Olushola, National President of NANS, in a press statement on Friday, said the governor’s decision to embrace negotiation and strategic engagements, rather than maintaining a hardline stance regarding the group’s demands helped to prevent further tension that could deteriorate the situation further or escalate avoidable chaos, which could disrupt governance in the state.

“Our profiling findings revealed that 38 of the arrested youths are students of the Ambrose Ali University in Ekpoma, while the remaining 14 are youth members of the community.

“Nevertheless, recognising the interconnectedness of our youth and student population, NANS favorably negotiated the release of all 52 people arrested in connection with the protest and the dropping of all associated charges.

“The constructive outcomes of the negotiations reinforce the importance and effectiveness of strategic engagement by students and youths when addressing their grievances. The achieved outcomes demonstrate that confrontations can be avoided when all parties agree to recognise their leverages and engage in non-violent negotiations in the interest of peace and public prosperity.

“While NANS recognises the constitutional right of citizens to protest, we strongly advocate dialogue, negotiation, and structured engagement where necessary, rather than a constant resort to confrontation that could strain relationships between citizens and local authorities, thereby undermining collective growth and progress of society,” he said.

NANS also appreciated the intervention of the State Security Service (SSS), the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Minister for Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, the Commissioner of Education in Edo State, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Asefon Sunday, whose mediatory roles were instrumental in facilitating effective communication and trust-building between all parties.

“Their timely involvement and the instrumentality of their offices significantly contributed to the prompt and amicable resolution of the matter and the eventual release of the students, for which NANS is grateful.

“It is also important to clarify that while there was a strong commitment to release the students earlier, due process had to be followed. The NANS leadership had to ensure that adequate documentation, verification, and administrative procedures were completed to ensure that the right individuals were identified and released responsibly back into society,” he added.

Meanwhile , it condemned stealing, destruction, and engagement in any form of criminality under the guise of exercising civil rights to protest.

“We admonish Nigerian students and youths nationwide to continue to conduct themselves appropriately and shun ill-social vices that can collapse law and order and fracture the peaceful coexistence that defines our collective national identity.

“NANS remains committed to partnering with State Governments, Federal authorities, and other relevant stakeholders and institutions to advance youth and student development and to build a more inclusive, responsive, and prosperous Nigeria,” it stated.