The Student Union Government (SUG) of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has denied any role in the recent unrest in the Ekpoma community, distancing students from claims that they organized or participated in the protest.

In a video statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, SUG President Osadebamen Ehizogie Michael described attempts to link students to the protest as “pitiable and misleading,” noting that neither the Student Union Government nor the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) sanctioned the demonstration.

“Contrary to popular claims, the protest was not organized under the Student Union Government or NANS,” Osadebamen said. “It is unfortunate that some persons are deliberately trying to associate what transpired with the student community. Students did not organize any protest.”

He appealed to the Edo State Government and security agencies to act quickly to ensure the immediate release of students arrested, stressing that they had consistently maintained their innocence and cooperated with university authorities.

A senior university official corroborated the SUG’s statement, confirming that investigations showed the protest was carried out by individuals who were not students of AAU. While the school organized a roundtable dialogue with relevant stakeholders, the community members responsible for the unrest reportedly failed to attend.

The clarification comes after at least 52 students were arrested in a late-night crackdown by police on student hostels. Many of the arrested students were reportedly picked up from their residences, not at the protest site. The students were subsequently charged to court and arraigned for allegedly participating in the protest, which was held in response to rising insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma.

The police have applied to remand the students for 14 days at the Benin City Correctional Custodial Centre pending further investigation and legal advice from the Edo State Ministry of Justice.

The protest by Ekpoma residents, which preceded the arrests, saw locals pulling down campaign billboards, accusing politicians of prioritizing early election campaigns over public safety.