*Says Non-Students Caused Violence And Extortion
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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has ordered the release of students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested during a recent protest in the state.
On Saturday, residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities took to the streets to protest the spate of kidnapping in the area.
The demonstration, which included AAU students, was marred by violence, with military personnel reportedly shooting and injuring a protester identified as Osagie Abraham.
Following the protest, a high court in Edo remanded 52 protesters after their arrest by the police.
Patrick Egbojele, chief press secretary to the governor, said on Tuesday that Okpebholo had directed the students’ release following a meeting with the leadership of the students’ union government of the university.
The governor said intelligence available to the state government indicated that the violence was carried out by non-students who loiter around the university environment and extort 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,” the governor was quoted as saying.
“These are people who are no longer students but are just hanging around the school, causing trouble and extorting students.”
Okpebholo said any genuine student arrested would be identified and released without delay.
“For students who were probably arrested, we will look into it and get them released to the SUG president. That is a promise I made, and I will do it as quickly as possible,” the governor said.
“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.”
Okpebholo said the state government has nothing against AAU students, adding that no arrests were made within the university campus.
Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson, said Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has directed Monday Agbonika, commissioner of police in Edo, to screen those arrested and identify “genuine students.”
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Hundeyin said only suspects found culpable after investigation would be arraigned.
“The inspector-general of police has instructed the commissioner of police to identify those who are genuinely students,” he said on Tuesday night.
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