The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged Edo State government over the arrest and remand of 52 students of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma.

In a statement, Obi warned that punishing citizens for protesting against insecurity while kidnappers and bandits remain at large is unacceptable and dangerous for democracy.

According to him, the arrests were a troubling response to a legitimate civic action, stressing that the students were calling attention to the very insecurity that has devastated communities.

The former Anambra State governor added that the students were reportedly taken from their hostels at night for protesting against kidnappings and banditry in their area, a development he said reflects a disturbing inversion of priorities by the authorities.

“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. Fight bandits not students.

“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.

“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, unaccountable for their actions,” Obi wrote on X.