The management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has disowned students who participated in a protest against incessant kidnappings in the area, stating that those involved are not registered students of the institution.
The Principal Assistant Registrar/Head of Information, Protocol, and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Aladenika said the university management has dissociated both the institution and its students from the protest.
According to him, the individuals involved in the demonstration are neither registered students nor members of the University Students’ Union Government, and they have no affiliation with the university in any capacity.
‘They do not have the authorisation or right to represent the university or organise activities in its name’, he said.
Aladenika further stated that the management condemns any attempt to disrupt the peaceful academic environment of the university. He warned that unauthorised actions would be met with appropriate measures to safeguard the institution’s interests and maintain order.
The statement read in part:
‘The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, is compelled to issue this statement regarding a purported ‘peaceful protest’ scheduled for Monday, 5th January 2026, by unknown individuals.
‘The University wishes to inform the general public, students, staff, and stakeholders that the organisers of this event are not registered students, members of the University Students’ Union Government, or affiliated with the institution in any capacity. They have no authorisation or right to represent the university or organise activities in its name.
‘The Management condemns any attempts to disrupt the peaceful academic environment and assures that such unauthorised actions will be met with appropriate measures to safeguard the university’s interests and maintain order.
‘This protest is null and void. The University urges everyone to disregard this notice and continue with their legitimate activities. Adequate security arrangements have been made to prevent any disturbances.
‘We appeal to all students, staff, and visitors to cooperate with university authorities to maintain peace and stability on campus’, he added.
It was reported that angry students and youths in Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Monday, 4 January 2026, staged a peaceful protest over alleged incessant kidnappings in the area.
The protesters said the demonstration aimed to draw the attention of the government at all levels to the persistent insecurity in the locality.
One of the protest leaders, Andrew Oziegbe, described the response of relevant authorities to the security challenges as inadequate.
Oziegbe called for urgent government intervention to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and restore confidence among residents and students.
It would be recalled that the protesters, under the umbrella of students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, had last week announced plans for a mass peaceful protest over the increasing kidnappings within the university community.
‘The decision followed the recent abduction of one Akhabhe Favour and an unnamed former Student Union leader of the institution’, Oziegbe stated.
