Students Protest Growing Kidnapping In Edo Council

A group of students and youths have staged a peaceful protest over what they described as the rising cases of kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West local government area of Edo State.

The protest, which commenced yesterday at the Poultry Road axis of Ekpoma, was aimed at drawing attention to persistent insecurity in the town.

One of the leaders of the protesters, Andrew Oziegbe, described the response of relevant authorities to the security challenges in the area as inadequate.

Oziegbe called for urgent government intervention to curb the growing wave of kidnappings and restore confidence among residents and students.

The group had last week identified themselves as students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, and announced plans for a mass peaceful protest over rising kidnappings within the university community.

According to them, the decision followed the recent abduction of one Akhabhe Favour and an unnamed former Student Union leader of the institution.

The incidents heightened concerns over the safety of students in and around the university town.

However, the management of Ambrose Alli University has dissociated the institution and its students from the protest.

In a statement issued by the Principal Assistant Registrar/Head of Information, Protocol, and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, the university stated that those involved in the protest were not registered students of the institution.

The statement read in part: “The individuals involved in the protest are not registered students, members of the University Students’ Union Government, nor are they affiliated with the institution in any capacity.

“They do not have the authorisation or right to represent the university or organise activities in its name.”

‎Aladenika added that the management condemns any attempt to disrupt the university’s peaceful academic environment.

‎He assured that unauthorised actions would be met with appropriate measures to safeguard the institution’s interests and maintain order.