The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the declaration of a state of emergency on security, citing increasing attacks on schools and worsening insecurity across the country.
Atiku made the call on Wednesday following the reported attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, where three persons, including the Vice Principal, were reportedly killed and several students abducted.
He expressed concern that attacks on schools were no longer only claiming lives but were also threatening access to education and the country’s long-term development.
The former Vice President also referenced earlier incidents in which school children were reportedly abducted in parts of Oyo and Borno states, warning of what he described as a growing pattern of attacks targeting educational institutions.
According to him, continued insecurity around schools could discourage teaching and learning while creating fear and trauma among students and teachers.
Atiku said the situation required extraordinary measures but clarified that his call for emergency action on security was not a call for the suspension of elected officials.
He stated that such measures should instead empower security commanders to act more decisively and reduce operational limitations caused by political interference.
“The latest attack on a school in Kogi State is a direct threat to education and a colossal national embarrassment that demands urgent and drastic action,” he said.
“It is time for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security to give commanders greater operational freedom to confront these criminals.”
Atiku maintained that learning could only thrive in a secure environment and warned that allowing attacks on schools to continue could undermine national progress.
“Learning can only take place in a safe environment and terrorist attacks on schools are increasingly making our schools dangerous places. The anxiety and trauma that follow such attacks will inevitably affect both students and teachers,” he said.
He added that insecurity in one school community could create wider fears across the country and affect education elsewhere.
As part of measures to strengthen security responses, the former Vice President proposed the establishment of a national guard made up of retired military veterans to support existing security agencies, which he described as overstretched.
He also advocated improved intelligence gathering, closer monitoring of terrorist movements and stronger community participation in sharing information with security agencies.
“Our communities have a major role to play through information sharing and vigilance,” he said.
