‎A group of students staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding an end to what they described as the rising spate of kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Recall that last week, a group identified as students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, had announced plans for a mass peaceful protest over rising kidnapping within the university community.

They said the decision to protest followed the recent abduction of one Akhabhe Favour and an unnamed former student union leader of the institution.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Andrew Oziegbe, who led the protest, said it was aimed at drawing attention to persistent insecurity in the area.

He called for security intervention to curb abductions in the area, describing the response of relevant authorities to the security challenge as inadequate.

‎Meanwhile, the institution authority in a statement by the Principal Assistant Registrar/Head, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, dissociated the institution and its students from the protest.

‎ Aladenika said, “The individuals involved in the protest are not registered students, members of the University Students’ Union Government, nor are they affiliated with the institution in any capacity.

‎“They do not have the authorization or right to represent the university or organize activities in its name.”

‎According to him, unauthorized actions would be met with appropriate measures to safeguard the institution’s interests and maintain order. (Daily Trust)