Edo government blames foreign sponsors for Ekpoma unrest
The Edo State Government has claimed that the recent violence in Ekpoma was orchestrated by Nigerians living abroad. Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration insists that those arrested are not students of Ambrose Alli University, despite calls from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for their release. The government says the incident was misrepresented on social media and was not a student protest. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the National Association of Nigerian Students have condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of detained students.
What we know
- The Edo State Government alleges the Ekpoma violence was a coordinated riot funded by Nigerians overseas, including one resident in Russia.
- Officials say those arrested were not students of Ambrose Alli University, as the school was not in session at the time.
- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan called for the immediate release of detained students, describing their arrest as suppression of youth voices.
- The government has started moves to secure the release of verified AAU students from the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.
- The AAU Students’ Union Government president stated that AAU students did not initiate or lead the protest.
