Former Vice President and 2027 presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security following a fresh attack on a secondary school in Kogi State that left three people dead and reignited concerns over the safety of schools across Nigeria.
Atiku made the call on Wednesday after armed attackers stormed Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. Reports indicate that the attack claimed the lives of three persons, including the school’s vice principal, while students were reportedly targeted during the incident.
Describing the attack as a national embarrassment, Atiku warned that repeated assaults on schools suggest a dangerous trend capable of crippling Nigeria’s education system and undermining long-term development.
“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.
The former vice president argued that Nigeria’s worsening security situation requires extraordinary measures and proposed a security-focused state of emergency that would give operational commanders greater freedom to act decisively against terrorists and bandits.
According to him, the proposal is not aimed at suspending democratic institutions or removing elected officials.
“I am not in any way calling for the removal of elected officials, but rather advocating for commanders to have a freer hand to protect their battlefield decisions from political interference,” he stated.
Atiku expressed concern that attacks on educational institutions are becoming increasingly frequent. He referenced recent abductions in Oyo and Borno states, where dozens of schoolchildren were reportedly kidnapped in separate incidents that generated nationwide concern.
The former vice president said the pattern of attacks points to a deliberate attempt by criminal groups to spread fear and disrupt learning.
“Learning can only take place in a safe environment. Terrorist attacks on schools are increasingly making our schools dangerous places. Under no circumstances should we allow terrorists or bandits to destroy our way of life and stop our children from going to school,” he said.
He warned that attacks on one school create fear far beyond the affected community, weakening confidence in the education system and discouraging school attendance.
As part of his recommendations, Atiku proposed the establishment of a National Guard made up of retired military personnel to support the efforts of the armed forces and police.
He maintained that security agencies are currently overstretched and require additional support structures to respond effectively to emerging threats across the country.
The former vice president also called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger community vigilance and better information sharing between citizens and security agencies.
Nigeria has witnessed repeated attacks on schools over the last decade, with mass abductions becoming one of the country’s most troubling security challenges.
The latest attack in Kogi is expected to intensify public pressure on authorities to strengthen school security and prevent further disruptions to education as concerns over insecurity continue to dominate national discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.
