Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs) has commended Edo State Government for ordering the release of students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who were arrested after the recent unrest in the area.
Gatekeepers News reports that the commendation is contained in a statement signed by Dr. Bartholomew Okoudo, President of CONGOs, and Comrade Ibrahim Momoh, Director of Publicity Conference of CONGOs on Tuesday.
CONGOs said the decision reflects responsive leadership, respect for civil liberties, and a commitment to protecting innocent citizens, especially students who were not involved in organising or carrying out the violence.
The group noted that students pursuing legitimate academic activities should not be punished for actions they neither planned nor participated in.
The organisation, while condemning the arson, looting, and destruction of public and private property recorded during the incident, stated that available assessments indicate the violence was not organised by students but was hijacked by criminal elements who took advantage of the situation to commit unlawful acts.
CONGOs expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend where hoodlums and organised criminal networks hide under the cover of protests, public demonstrations, or security-related grievances to unleash violence and destabilise communities.
It warned that such actions undermine lawful civic expression, damage livelihoods, and weaken public trust and social cohesion.
While acknowledging assurances from the Edo State Government that calm and normalcy are gradually returning to Ekpoma, CONGOs stressed that reactive security measures alone are not enough.
It pointed to the scale and coordination of the unrest, as well as allegations of external sponsorship and diaspora-linked funding, as signs of gaps in intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms, and inter-agency cooperation.
The group called for stronger intelligence collaboration among security agencies, improved community-based security structures involving local leaders, student bodies, civil society groups, and faith-based organisations, as well as transparent investigation and prosecution of individuals found to have sponsored or carried out criminal acts, regardless of status or location.
CONGOs also urged authorities to clearly distinguish between peaceful civic engagement and criminal activity in order to prevent the criminalisation of lawful protest and to protect democratic freedoms.
The organisation reaffirmed its willingness to work with the Edo State Government, security agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to promote peacebuilding, accountability, and sustainable security across the state.
It also called on residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while rejecting violence and attempts to destabilise Edo State.
