THIS DAWN — Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Vice president Atiku Abubakar have expressed deep concern over the arrest and remand of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State.
The students had staged a protest demanding an end to the terror of kidnappers and bandits in their community.
Speaking, peter Obi described the development as “utterly unacceptable”.
He stressed that citizens must never be punished for voicing legitimate grievances, especially when they are standing up against the very real threats of insecurity devastating their neighborhoods.
“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 said.
Insecurity and Citizen Response
Obi noted that the arrests highlight a troubling contradiction: while criminals roam free, young people demanding safety are being criminalized.
He warned that as long as insecurity continues unabated, more protests are inevitable.
“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,” he emphasized.
Vision for a New Nigeria
Obi condemned the arrests as intolerable and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained students.
“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 declared.
Reiterating his broader vision, Obi stressed that Nigeria must prioritize justice, security, and citizen engagement to build trust and unity.
He urged leaders to act responsibly and decisively in addressing insecurity while respecting the voices of citizens.
Atiku Abubakar Kicks Against Arrest
On his part, Atiku Abubakar criticized what he describes as the growing intolerance and heavy-handedness of the Tinubu administration.
He condemned the arrest and detention of dozens of students, who were protesting against insecurity in their community.
He stressed that the right to protest is guaranteed by the constitution and upheld by the courts.
Atiku reminded the APC-led government that its foremost duty is to safeguard the lives and welfare of citizens.
Atiku argued that if the same effort used to arrest innocent students and citizens for speaking out were directed toward combating terrorism and banditry—rather than negotiating with criminals—Nigeria’s communities would be far safer.
He, therefore, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for exercising their legitimate right to protest.
