Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest and subsequent remand of 52 students in Ekpoma, Edo State.
He calls the move a dangerous suppression of legitimate civic dissent.The students, primarily from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre by a Benin High Court on Monday.
They face charges including malicious damage and armed robbery following a weekend protest against the “terror of kidnappers and bandits” that has paralysed the university community.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi highlighted the disturbing manner in which the students were apprehended.
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Reports indicate that many were taken from their hostels during 3:00 am raids by security forces, rather than at the scene of the protest.
“It is beyond belief that students were taken from their hostels at night simply for protesting, only to be treated as criminals,” Obi stated. “Meanwhile, the actual perpetrators—the bandits and kidnappers wreaking havoc—remain at large, unaccountable for their actions.”
Obi argued that the students were acting as a “united front” against the criminals terrorising their neighbourhoods.
He warned that using state power to punish victims while failing to secure the community would only lead to further unrest.
He called for an immediate call for the government to free the 52 students without conditions, criticism of the “misplaced proactiveness” of security agencies who target protesters instead of bandits and a demand for the government to engage in dialogue rather than criminalising those demanding safety.
The remand order, issued by Justice William Aziegbemiwho cited a lack of jurisdiction to hear the bail application, has sparked national outrage.
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While Governor Monday Okpebholo previously condemned the protest as a “well-organised riot” hijacked by hoodlums, he has begun a screening process to identify and release “genuine students” following a meeting with the AAU SUG leadership.
Obi, however, maintains that the entire exercise is an “intolerable” breach of fundamental rights.
“Arresting young people for demanding safety is absolutely intolerable,” he added. “As long as insecurity continues unabated, more protests will follow.”
