Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration over the arrest and detention of students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who reportedly staged a protest against rising insecurity in the area.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku described the federal government’s response to the protest as alarming, warning that intolerance and excessive use of power could further deepen public distrust in government.
“The level of intolerance and high-handedness of the Bola Tinubu administration is concerning,” Atiku wrote. “It is unacceptable that the authorities’ response to students’ protest against insecurity in the Ekpoma area of Edo State is to arrest and detain dozens of students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU).”
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate stressed that peaceful protest remains a fundamental democratic right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by the courts. According to him, criminalising student protests undermines democratic values and the rule of law.
“The right to protest is not only enshrined in the constitution but has also been validated by the courts,” he stated, while reminding the administration that “the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the citizens.”
Atiku further faulted the government’s security priorities, arguing that law enforcement agencies appear more eager to clamp down on peaceful protesters than to decisively confront violent criminals terrorising communities across the country.
“If the energy with which innocent students and citizens are arrested for raising concerns about insecurity were deployed to fighting terrorism and banditry, instead of negotiating with the criminals, our communities would be safer,” he added.
The former vice president also called for the immediate release of all those detained, describing their arrest as unlawful and unjustified.
“I call for the immediate and unconstitutional release of all those unjustifiably detained for asserting their legitimate rights to protest,” Atiku declared.
The arrests of the AAU students have continued to generate public debate, with rights groups and concerned citizens calling on authorities to respect civil liberties while addressing the worsening security challenges facing communities across the country.
