Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged the Edo State Government to focus on fighting bandits and criminals instead of clamping down on students and young protesters. Obi said the real threat to public safety is rising insecurity, not peaceful demonstrations by citizens calling for better governance.

He expressed concern over reports that students were arrested or harassed during recent protests in the state. According to Obi, young people should be protected and encouraged to express their views freely, rather than being treated as enemies of the state for speaking up about issues affecting them.

Obi stressed that the government’s primary responsibility is to secure lives and property. He argued that when authorities turn their attention away from criminals and target law-abiding youths instead, it weakens public trust and worsens the insecurity problem across communities.

He therefore called on Edo officials to redirect their energy toward confronting banditry, kidnapping and violent crime. Obi added that building peace and safety requires cooperation with citizens, not intimidation, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with fear and uncertainty.