Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has ordered the release of what he called authentic students of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, who were remanded at Ubiaja prison on the order of a state High Court, sitting in Benin City, after their arraignment by the police.
The order for their release comes amid public outrage.
The students were hauled into prison after a mass indiscriminate mass arrest for allegedly taking part in the Ekpoma anti-kidnapping protest in Esan West Local Government Area of the state.
The governor had claimed that a Nigerian based in Russia sponsored the protest.
Families of the students had been livid over the continued detention of their children over their alleged participation in last Saturday’s anti-kidnapping protest.
Nigerians were also outraged.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, had condemned the arrest and detention of the 52 students, demanding their immediate release.
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