The detainees were arrested in connection with a protest held last Saturday in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, where residents took to the streets to express anger over the rising of kidnapping and insecurity in the area.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who are reportedly being detained at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
The detainees were arrested in connection with a protest held last Saturday in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, where residents took to the streets to express anger over the rising of kidnapping and insecurity in the area.
According to reports, several students of Ambrose Alli University joined community members in the peaceful demonstration, demanding urgent action by the government to curb criminal activities threatening lives and livelihoods.
However, security operatives allegedly arrested dozens of protesters, many of whom were later remanded in custody.
In a statement, SERAP condemned the arrests and detention, describing them as a violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a party.
"Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all 52 people mostly students of Ekpoma Ambrose Alli University who are reportedly detained at Ubiaja Correctional Centre over last Saturday’s protest in Ekpoma, Esan-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
“Authorities must immediately drop their policy of crushing peaceful student protests, respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and drop all arbitrary charges and sanctions against students for their involvement in them,” SERAP said.
The organisation stressed that peaceful protests against insecurity and bad governance are lawful and protected forms of civic engagement.
SERAP urged the Edo State government to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and drop all arbitrary charges and sanctions against students.