The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the abduction of the Principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, Kogi State, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and several students who were sitting for their Senior School Certificate Examination.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the former Vice President described the incident as a tragic reminder of the persistent insecurity confronting Nigeria’s education sector. He expressed deep concern that armed criminals could target a school during a national examination, saying such attacks threaten not only the lives of students and teachers but also the future of the country’s education system.
According to Atiku, educational institutions should remain safe spaces where children can pursue learning without fear of violence or intimidation. He lamented that repeated attacks on schools have continued to disrupt academic activities, traumatise families and discourage access to education in many parts of the country.
The ADC presidential candidate called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted principal, the NECO official and the affected students. He urged law enforcement agencies to deploy every available resource to rescue the victims safely while ensuring that those responsible for the attack are apprehended and brought to justice.
Atiku also sympathised with the families of the victims, the management of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina and the Kogi State Government over the unfortunate incident. He assured them that Nigerians stand in solidarity with all those affected during the difficult period.
The former Vice President stressed that attacks on schools represent a direct assault on the nation’s future, warning that continued insecurity within educational institutions could undermine national development and erode public confidence in the country’s ability to protect its children.
He called on the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools, particularly during public examinations, by enhancing intelligence gathering, increasing the presence of security personnel and improving collaboration with local communities.
According to him, the protection of schools should remain a national priority, as education is fundamental to economic growth, social stability and national progress. He further urged governments at all levels to implement sustainable measures that would prevent recurring attacks on students and educators.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of schools across Nigeria, especially in areas vulnerable to kidnapping and other forms of criminal violence. Education stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger security measures to safeguard examination centres and learning institutions from armed attacks.
Security experts argue that protecting schools requires a combination of effective intelligence, rapid emergency response systems and active community participation in reporting suspicious activities. They also advocate increased investment in school security infrastructure and stronger coordination among security agencies.
As efforts continue to secure the release of the abducted victims, many Nigerians have joined Atiku in calling for urgent action to address the country’s security challenges and restore confidence in the safety of educational institutions. Observers say the latest attack underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that will enable students to pursue their education without the constant threat of violence.
