Protest Erupts as Youth Arise Movement Demands Release of 48 Detained Bauchi Polytechnic Students

The Youth Arise Movement has called for the immediate release of 48 students from the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi who were arrested during a peaceful protest over the alarming rise in armed robbery incidents on campus.

According to the Bauchi State Police Command, the arrests followed what they described as a “security breach” during the protest.

Police Account of the Arrests

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmed Wakil, stated that the command acted on intelligence about suspected hoodlums scaling the institution’s fence and allegedly seizing students’ mobile phones.

He confirmed that 48 protesters and 16 suspected robbers were apprehended in connection with the incident.

For more on the role of the Bauchi State Police Command, visit the Nigeria Police Force Official Website.

Youth Arise Movement Condemns Police Action

In a statement released on Wednesday, the group’s convener, Babatunde Ademola, demanded:

The unconditional release of all detained students.
Dropping of all charges brought against them.
An independent investigation into the robbery cases on campus.
A public apology from security agencies for their handling of the protest.

Ademola emphasized that the protest on August 12, 2025, was peaceful and aimed at urging authorities to address the escalating security threats that have endangered students’ lives and disrupted academic activities.

“Instead of addressing the students’ legitimate concerns, the police responded with force, arresting 48 students and silencing their cry for safety,” Ademola stated.

Students’ Right to Peaceful Protest

The movement described the arrests as unconstitutional and a clear abuse of power, stressing that Nigerian students have a legal right to protest against issues that threaten their safety and future.

“It is not a crime to demand safety. It is not a crime to call for justice,” Ademola reiterated.

For details on students’ constitutional rights, see Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Demands by the Youth Arise Movement

The group outlined the following demands:

Immediate and unconditional release of the 48 arrested students.
Dropping of all charges against them.
Urgent investigation into the armed robbery cases on campus.
Accountability for the inaction of security agencies.

Ademola further urged civil society organisations, academic institutions, and human rights groups to support their cause, warning that silencing youth voices will not be tolerated.

Solidarity with Bauchi Polytechnic Students

“We stand in full solidarity with the arrested students, their colleagues, and their families,” Ademola said.
He called on Nigerians and international human rights bodies to join in pressing for justice and the immediate release of the detained individuals.

For updates on this developing story, follow Channels TV News and the Youth Arise Movement Official Page.