Police officers reportedly went from hostel to hostel at Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, arresting students in the aftermath of a peaceful protest over worsening insecurity and rising kidnappings.
A video circulating online reportedly shows the operation at night, with torchlights and rifles illuminating the scene, highlighting claims of arbitrary arrests and heavy-handed action against the students.
The protest, reportedly held on January 9, aimed to draw attention to growing insecurity in Ekpoma, where over 20 kidnappings have been reported in recent months.
Instead of pursuing the suspected kidnappers, security operatives reportedly focused on detaining more than 40 students, sparking widespread condemnation and allegations of brutality and extortion.
Eyewitnesses said the demonstration began peacefully, with students calling on authorities to safeguard the community.
However, police and army personnel reportedly fired shots and forcibly moved through student hostels, arresting participants. One netizen who shared the video wrote, “Kidnappers are in the bush, but the innocent are being punished. Ekpoma is not safe, and our cries are being ignored.”
The crackdown has reportedly drawn outrage on social media, with human rights groups and student organizations demanding an immediate investigation into the conduct of security forces.
They urged authorities to prioritize apprehending the real perpetrators of crime rather than punishing innocent civilians, warning that the treatment of students could further inflame tensions in the region.
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