On January 10 and 11, 2026, the Nigerian Police Force raided several student hostels at Ambrose Alli University, detaining at least 52 students in connection with a protest held earlier that day

On the afternoon of January 10, AAU students had organized a peaceful demonstration in Esan West to protest the government’s inaction in response to rising killings and abductions in Edo State. According to a police statement, the protest was later “hijacked” by outside actors who vandalized shops and looted property, prompting police intervention to restore order.

Later that night and into the early morning hours, armed police entered student hostels, forcibly removed students from their rooms, and carried out indiscriminate arrests; several of those detained denied having been involved in the protests of January 10.

On January 12, the detained students were arraigned before a Benin High Court on charges including malicious damage and armed robbery, and were remanded in custody for 14 days.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the forced entry into student hostels by police forces and arbitrary arrest and detention of students in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. While security forces have a responsibility to maintain security and safety, they must also refrain from the disproportionate use of force and ensure that their actions do not endanger civilians. Absent a compelling reason to do so, campus raids undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:

https://gazettengr.com/court-orders-remand-of-52-varsity-students-others-for-protesting-kidnapping-killings-in-edo/
https://mfwa.org/country-highlights/nigeria-52-university-students-remanded-after-protest-against-insecurity-in-edo-state/
https://mfwa.org/country-highlights/nigeria-soldier-shoot-protestor-during-demonstration-against-rising-insecurity-in-edo-state/
https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/12/sowore-condemns-arrest-remand-aau-students-protesting-against-insecurity-edo
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/cappa-condemns-detention-of-52-aau-students-over-anti-kidnapping-protest/#google_vignette