AAU SUG Meets Okpebholo Over Ekpoma Unrest as Governor Orders Release of Innocent Students

Kingsley Ohens reporting For Urbanscoopnews

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated that the recent unrest in Ekpoma was not a protest organised by students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), but a criminal disturbance carried out by non-students exploiting the university environment for unlawful activities.

Governor Okpebholo made the clarification on Tuesday during a meeting with the leadership of the Ambrose Alli University Students’ Union Government (SUG), where issues surrounding the disturbance, arrests and broader security concerns were discussed extensively.

The Governor disclosed that intelligence reports available to the Edo State Government indicate that the unrest was orchestrated by a group identifying themselves as the “Ambrose Alli Comrade Community,” comprising individuals who are no longer students but loiter around the university community to extort and harass law-abiding students.

“I have met with the SUG President of AAU Ekpoma. We had a very lengthy discussion, and as I have consistently said, this was not a students’ protest. These are people who are no longer students but are just hanging around the school, causing trouble and extorting students. We will put an end to that,” the Governor said.

He assured the SUG leadership that any genuine students who may have been arrested in the course of restoring order would be promptly identified and released.

“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released through the SUG President. That is a promise I made, and I will do it as quickly as possible. The protest was not theirs. In fact, it was not a protest at all; it was an avenue to loot,” he added.

Governor Okpebholo also dismissed claims of kidnapping linked to the incident, describing them as false and deliberately stage-managed to mislead the public and incite ethnic tension.

“The kidnapping they are talking about is fake. It was stage-managed. They were arranging to kidnap and release themselves. Sadly, they even went as far as killing someone, which is the most painful part,” he said.

Condemning the burning of markets and destruction of property in Ekpoma, the Governor warned that anyone—regardless of political affiliation—found sponsoring or using hoodlums to destabilise Edo communities would be brought to justice.

“I don’t care whether you are a politician or not. If you are using people to destroy our land and economy, we will go after you. We know those responsible, and we will ensure they are brought to book,” he stated.

The Governor further emphasized that the Edo State Government has no grievances with AAU students, noting that the institution remains closed and confirming that no arrests were made within the university campus.

Speaking after the meeting, the President of the Ambrose Alli University SUG, Comrade Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael, described efforts to link the unrest to students as unfortunate and misleading.

“It is pitiable that some people want to associate what happened with students. We are here to formally debunk that students did not organise any protest. His Excellency has been in constant touch with us and has assured us that any students among those arrested will be released,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Ambrose Alli University, Professor Andrew Eromonsele, confirmed that no arrests were made within the university campus, further distancing the institution from the unrest.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students, restoring peace in Ekpoma, and ensuring that criminal elements exploiting the university environment are decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.