In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed his alarm over the treatment of students who protested against the escalating threat of kidnappers and bandits in their area. He criticized the authorities for treating these students like criminals instead of offering them protection.

Obi remarked, “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.” He expressed disbelief that the students were apprehended at night from their hostels after staging a protest, while the actual criminals responsible for the insecurity remain free.

He emphasized that this situation demands urgent action from the government rather than confrontation. “This is not a confrontation between citizens and the government; it is a united front against the criminals who terrorise us,” he remarked, urging the authorities to engage with the protesting students in meaningful dialogue to reclaim their communities from violence.

Obi reaffirmed that protests would persist as long as insecurity remains an issue, and he urged the government to act decisively. He characterized the arrest as intolerable and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the students. “Let us move forward with courage, not fear, in guiding our leadership,” he concluded, asserting that arresting young people for voicing legitimate calls for safety is absolutely intolerable.