Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has condemned the arrest and alleged unlawful detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing the action as an attempt to suppress democratic expression.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the senator expressed solidarity with the affected students and urged the authorities to secure their immediate release.
“Dialogue, not detention, is the pathway to peace and progress. Our youths must not be criminalised for speaking up and protesting about issues that affect their environment, welfare and future,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan faulted the handling of the situation by authorities in Edo State, urging the government to prioritise the worsening security challenges facing residents, including kidnappings and other violent crimes.
“The government of Edo State must focus on addressing the concerns of kidnappings and other forms of insecurity, rather than suppressing discerning and courageous voices,” she said.
She stressed that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and an essential tool for accountability, particularly for young people whose futures are directly shaped by governance outcomes.
“Silencing students through arrests only deepens mistrust and widens the gap between government and the governed. Engagement and honest dialogue are the responsible responses,” the senator added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her solidarity with the detained students and their families, noting that her intervention aligns with her long-standing advocacy for justice and youth empowerment.
