The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security following a fresh wave of deadly attacks on schools across the country.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Wednesday through his media aide, Paul Ibe, expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, warning that terrorists and bandits are no longer only targeting lives and property but are also systematically attacking the nation’s education sector.
The former Vice President’s reaction followed the recent attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, where gunmen reportedly killed three persons, including the school’s Vice Principal, and abducted several students.
He noted that the attack was part of a disturbing pattern aimed at crippling education and undermining national development.
According to Atiku, the trend has become increasingly alarming, citing the abduction of no fewer than 90 schoolchildren in separate attacks in Oriire, Oyo State, and Mussa, Borno State, on May 15. He also recalled that the principal of one of the affected schools in Oriire was reportedly beheaded by the attackers.
Describing the situation as unacceptable, Atiku urged the Federal Government to take decisive action by granting security commanders greater operational freedom to confront criminal elements.
“It is high time the Federal Government declared a state of emergency on security to empower commanders with more freedom to act decisively and proactively against these monsters in the country,” he said.
The former Vice President clarified that his call was not a demand for the removal of elected officials but a recommendation for security operatives to be insulated from political interference in making critical battlefield decisions.
Atiku maintained that without urgent and coordinated action, continued attacks on schools could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s educational system and long-term development goals.
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