Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has criticised the arrest and alleged detention of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State.
The students were arrested after a protest against rising insecurity in Ekpoma on Saturday degenerated following the reported involvement of suspected hoodlums.
The unrest allegedly featured attacks on traders, the burning of tyres and the obstruction of major roads across the town.
The palace of Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, was also reportedly targeted during the violence.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Tuesday, Abubakar demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustifiably detained for asserting their legitimate rights to protest”.
The former vice president said the arrests were evidence of what he described as increasing intolerance under the administration of Bola Tinubu.
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of focusing on the wrong priorities, arguing that security agencies should be tackling terrorism and banditry rather than arresting students.
“The level of intolerance and high-handedness of the Bola Tinubu administration is concerning,” the statement read.
“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 Ambrose Alli University (AAU).
“The right to protest is not only enshrined in the Constitution but has also been validated by the courts.
“Meanwhile, I wish to remind the Tinubu-led APC administration that the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the citizens.
“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 criminals, our communities would be safer.
“I call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustifiably detained for asserting their legitimate rights to protest.”
On Monday, the Edo State High Court ordered the remand of 52 protesters over allegations of malicious damage and armed robbery linked to the protest.
The suspects, including students of Ambrose Alli University, were taken into custody after the demonstration escalated into violence.
William Aziegbemi, presiding judge, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Aziegbemi directed defence counsel to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.
He adjourned the case to February 26 and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre.