The management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has denied any involvement in a protest held in the town over the rising cases of kidnapping, insisting that those who organised and participated in the demonstration are not students of the institution.
In a statement issued in Benin City on Monday, the university said it had dissociated itself and its student body from the protest, which was announced as a “peaceful demonstration” against insecurity in Ekpoma.
The statement, signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, clarified that the organisers were neither registered students of AAU nor members of the University Students’ Union Government.
According to the university, the individuals lacked the authority to act on behalf of the institution or organise activities in its name.
AAU management warned against any actions capable of disrupting academic activities, stressing that the institution would take necessary steps to protect its learning environment and ensure order on campus.
“The purported protest scheduled for January 5, 2026, was organised by unknown persons who have no affiliation with Ambrose Alli University,” the statement read.
“They are not registered students, union officials, or recognised representatives of the university and therefore have no right to speak or act on its behalf.”
The university described the protest notice as invalid and urged students, staff and members of the public to disregard it. It also disclosed that security measures had been strengthened to prevent any breach of peace within the campus.
Meanwhile, residents and youths in Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, staged a protest on Monday to express concern over what they described as persistent kidnappings in the area.
The protesters said the demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the worsening security situation.
One of the protest coordinators, Andrew Oziegbe, criticised what he described as the slow response of relevant authorities and called for urgent intervention to address the spate of abductions.
He noted that the protest followed recent kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of a student identified as Akhabhe Favour and a former student union leader of Ambrose Alli University.