By Kingston Magare 14.1.2026
Former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential aspirant Peter Obi has lampooned the Edo State government for arresting and detaining students who were protesting insecurity in Ekpoma.
The student from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, took to the streets to demand for more protection in their locality following spates of kidnapping and killings, the recent killing of one their colleagues forced them to take action, which Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo did not like because some other people hijacked the protest and began to rip the billboards of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign for 2027.
Obi writing on his X social media platform said it was alarming that rather than pay attention to what the students are saying, the government is cracking down on them.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
Meanwhile Edo State Government said the 38 students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, arrested during unrest in the area last weekend, will be released.
The commissioner for education, Paddy Iyamu, said Wednesday that some students were freed on Tuesday, others would regain their freedom later on Wednesday.
Iyamu said the unrest was orchestrated by individuals living outside Edo State, who “fomented trouble, leading to the destruction of properties.”
He added that “some items were stolen from the palace of the monarch in the area.”