School Attacks: Atiku Urges Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency On Security Now

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency on security, warning that targeted attacks on schools by terrorists and bandits now pose a direct threat to Nigeria’s education sector and long-term development.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, made the call on Wednesday following the latest assault on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. Three people, including the school’s Vice Principal, were killed in the attack while several students were abducted.

The Waziri Adamawa said the pattern of violence against schools is deliberate and dangerous. “There is a pattern in these attacks aimed at crippling our education sector and consequently stalling our development strides,” he stated through his media office.

He referenced two other mass abductions on May 15 in Oriire, Oyo State and Mussa, Borno State, where not fewer than 90 school children were taken and the principal of the Oriire school was beheaded.

“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,” Atiku said. “It is high time the Federal Government declared a state of emergency to empower commanders with more freedom to act decisively and proactively with these monsters in the country.”

The former Vice President clarified that his call does not include suspension of elected state officials. “I am not in any way calling for the removal of elected officials, but rather advocating for commanders to have freer hand to protect their battlefield decisions from political interference,” he explained.

Atiku argued that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity requires extraordinary measures. “Learning can only take place in a safe environment and terrorist attacks on schools are increasingly making our schools dangerous places. Worse still, the anxiety and trauma that follow terrorist attacks on schools will inevitably make the school environment unsafe for both students and teachers,” he said. “Under no circumstances should we allow terrorists or bandits to destroy our way of life and stop our children from going to school.”

He warned that “a terrorist attack on one school is a threat to schools elsewhere across the country because of its domino-effect.”

As part of drastic measures, Atiku proposed the establishment of national guards composed of retired military veterans to support the overstretched military and police. He also urged improved human intelligence on terrorist movements and greater community vigilance. “Our communities have a great role to play in information sharing and eternal vigilance,” he added.

The call adds to growing pressure on the Tinubu administration to review its security strategy as attacks on schools continue to rise nationwide. The Presidency has yet to respond to Atiku’s specific demand as of press time.