Former Labour Party presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the arrest and remand of 52 students in Ekpoma, Edo State, describing the development as “utterly unacceptable” and a grave violation of citizens’ rights to demand security.
In a statement posted late Tuesday night on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed alarm that students who peacefully protested the rising threat of kidnappers and bandits in their community were treated as criminals rather than protected by the state.
“I have just been made aware of the alarming arrest and remand of 52 students in Ekpoma, Edo State, who bravely called for an end to the terror of kidnappers and bandits plaguing their community,” Obi wrote. “This situation is utterly unacceptable. We cannot and must not punish citizens for voicing legitimate grievances, especially when they are standing up against the very real threats that have devastated our neighbourhoods.”
Obi lamented reports that the students were allegedly arrested from their hostels at night following the protest, while those responsible for the insecurity remain at large.
“It is beyond belief that students were taken from their hostels at night simply for protesting, only to be treated as criminals. Meanwhile, the actual perpetrators—the bandits and kidnappers wreaking havoc—remain unaccountable,” he said.
The former governor warned that protests would persist as long as insecurity continues, urging authorities to interpret the demonstrations as a call for urgent action rather than a confrontation.
According to him, the government must engage the students through dialogue and take decisive steps to reclaim communities from violent criminal elements.
“The reality is clear: as long as insecurity continues unabated, more protests will follow. The government has a responsibility to engage in dialogue with these students and take decisive steps to reclaim their communities from the grip of violence. This is not a confrontation between citizens and the government; it is a united front against the criminals who terrorise us,” Obi stated.
Describing the arrest as intolerable, Obi called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained students, urging leaders to act with courage and restraint.
“Arresting young people for demanding safety is absolutely intolerable. I call on the government to release these students immediately and unconditionally. Let us move forward with courage, not fear, in guiding our leadership,” he added