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Atiku Slams Student Arrests Over Ekpoma Protest, Accuses FG of Intolerance

Published by admin on January 13th, 2026.

Atiku Slams Student Arrests Over Ekpoma Protest, Accuses FG of Intolerance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the arrest and continued detention of students from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, saying the action reflects increasing intolerance by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement shared on his official X handle on Tuesday, Atiku condemned what he described as the Federal Government’s heavy-handed response to students who protested rising insecurity around the Ekpoma area of Edo State. He expressed worry that peaceful demonstrations were met with arrests rather than dialogue.

He stressed that protesting is a constitutional right backed by court rulings, arguing that detaining students for speaking out about their safety is unjustifiable. Atiku reminded the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government that its foremost duty is to protect lives and property, not to suppress legitimate grievances.

The former Vice President further noted that the determination shown in rounding up protesters would be better directed at confronting banditry and terrorism, instead of engaging in talks with criminals. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all students arrested for exercising their right to peaceful protest.