The Edo State Government has confirmed that 38 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested during unrest in the community last weekend, will be released soon, the State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Paddy Iyamu, said on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Iyamu spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying that while some of the students were freed on Tuesday, the remaining ones were expected to regain their freedom later on Wednesday.

The unrest broke out after a protest that began as a rally against rising insecurity and kidnappings in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, escalated into violence when suspected hoodlums hijacked the demonstration, destroyed property and disrupted public order.

Iyamu said the unrest was partly driven by individuals not from Edo State who “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties.” He added that items were stolen from the palace of the local monarch during the disturbance.

Following the restoration of peace, the state government has approved the resumption of academic activities at the university. School authorities have been told to prepare for normal classes to continue.

The arrests drew criticism from activists and public figures who saw the detentions as a response to student expression. However, the Edo authorities maintained that the incident was a coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the area, and not a peaceful student protest.

With the government’s announcement on the release of the detained students and the return of calm, AAU and community leaders are expected to work together to ensure continued peace and address the concerns that sparked the unrest.

Next steps: The freed students will return home or rejoin academic activities, and security agencies will continue efforts to maintain order in Ekpoma as officials monitor community safety and prevent further disruptions.