Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), has condemned the arrest and continued detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, over a peaceful protest against insecurity, describing the action as a violation of democratic rights and an attempt to silence youth voices.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, she expressed solidarity with the detained students and their families, insisting that peaceful protest and civic engagement must not be criminalised in a democratic society.
“Dialogue, not detention, is the pathway to peace and progress,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, stressing that young Nigerians should not be punished for speaking out on issues affecting their welfare, environment and future.
She also criticised the handling of the situation by authorities in Edo State, urging the government to prioritise the growing insecurity confronting residents, including kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“The government of Edo State must focus on addressing kidnappings and other forms of insecurity, rather than suppressing discerning and courageous voices,” she said.
The lawmaker emphasised that peaceful protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right and a critical tool for accountability, particularly for students and young people whose futures are directly shaped by government policies.
According to her, the arrest of protesting students risks widening the trust gap between citizens and the state. “Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan concluded by reaffirming her support for the detained students, noting that her intervention reflects her broader commitment to justice, youth empowerment and the protection of fundamental human rights.
The statement was signed: “In solidarity, Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan, Concerned Kogi Central for Nigeria.”