Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the arrest and remand of 52 students in Ekpoma, Edo State, describing the action as “utterly unacceptable” and a troubling assault on citizens’ constitutional right to demand safety.
In a statement posted late Tuesday on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed deep concern that students who peacefully protested against the growing 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.
He criticised the authorities for allegedly arresting the students from their hostels at night following the protest, while those responsible for the insecurity continue to roam
“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 at large and unaccountable,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor warned that public demonstrations would persist for as long as insecurity remains unchecked, urging the government to see the protests as a call for urgent action rather than confrontation.
According to Obi, the situation demands dialogue and decisive leadership, not intimidation.
“The reality is clear: as long as insecurity continues unabated, more protests will follow. This is not a confrontation between citizens and the government; it is a united front against the criminals who terrorise our communities,” he stated.
Obi described the continued detention of the students as intolerable and called for their immediate and unconditional release, stressing that leadership must be guided by courage, accountability and empathy.
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