The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security following the rising wave of attacks on schools and communities across the country.
The former Vice President expressed concern that terrorists and bandits were increasingly targeting educational institutions, warning that the trend could undermine the nation's education system and slow socio-economic development.
Atiku's call came in the wake of the recent attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, where three persons, including a vice principal, were reportedly killed and several students abducted.
In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, Atiku said the growing pattern of attacks on schools suggested a deliberate attempt to cripple education in the country.
He said, “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.
“It is high time the Federal Government declared a state of emergency on security to empower security commanders with greater freedom to act decisively and proactively against these criminal elements.”
The former vice president, however, clarified that his call for a state of emergency was not a request for the removal or suspension of elected state officials.
“I am not in any way calling for the removal of elected officials, but rather advocating that security commanders be given a freer hand to make battlefield decisions without political interference,” he stated.
According to Atiku, the country's worsening security situation requires extraordinary measures to prevent further attacks on schools and other vulnerable targets.
He warned that continued assaults on educational institutions could create fear among students, teachers and parents, thereby disrupting learning activities.
“Learning can only take place in a safe environment, and terrorist attacks on schools are increasingly making our educational institutions unsafe.
“The anxiety and trauma associated with these attacks will inevitably affect both students and teachers. Under no circumstances should we allow terrorists and bandits to destroy our way of life or prevent our children from accessing education,” he added.
The former vice president further argued that attacks on any school in the country should be viewed as a threat to the entire education sector because of their far-reaching consequences.
As part of measures to tackle insecurity, Atiku advocated the establishment of a national guard made up of retired military personnel and other veterans to support the efforts of security agencies.
“Our military and police are clearly overstretched and undermanned. A national guard comprising retired veterans can complement ongoing security operations,” he said.
He also stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
According to him, communities must play a more active role in sharing information that could help security agencies prevent attacks and track criminal elements.
Atiku's remarks come amid growing concerns over the increasing incidents of kidnapping, banditry and attacks on schools in different parts of the country.
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