Obi made the remarks during a podcast interview while criticising the Federal Government's handling of the kidnapping incident, arguing that the victims spent too much time in captivity before they were rescued.
According to the former Labour Party presidential candidate, he would have personally gone to the forest alongside security operatives to ensure the victims were brought out.
"Two days after the Oriire kids were kidnapped, I will go to that bush with soldiers and everybody will come out. There might be casualties, like some of the kids, soldiers and others being killed, but everybody will come out," Obi said.
The statement quickly drew reactions, including from Olayinka, who ridiculed the former governor's assertion in a post on his X handle.
"As President, Pitobi will enter Sambisa Forest by himself and face Boko Haram terrorists. This man enh..." Olayinka wrote.
The media aide's comment was a sarcastic reference to the long-running insurgency in Nigeria's North-East, suggesting that Obi's remarks about personally joining a rescue mission were unrealistic.
The exchange has since generated mixed reactions on social media. While some users defended Obi's comments, arguing that he was emphasizing decisive leadership and urgency in responding to security challenges, others agreed with Olayinka that a president's role is to coordinate security operations rather than personally lead combat missions.
The discussion comes amid continued public debate over leadership, security and the government's response to incidents of kidnapping and insecurity across the country.
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