Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the abduction of a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) staff member, and several students at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident, which occurred on July 14, 2026, during ongoing national examinations, saw armed gunmen storm the school, abducting the Principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa, NECO staff member Mr. Solomon Audu, and at least three students, including Miss Dorcas Sunday. One student has since been released, while security forces continue efforts to rescue the remaining hostages.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku Abubakar described the repeated attacks on schools as evidence that the current administration has abandoned the education sector, leaving learning environments vulnerable and turning schools into “abandoned territories” for criminals.
Atiku Abubakar stated: “The latest kidnapping in Kogi State is not an isolated event but a damning symptom of a government that has abandoned education and the future of our children. When schools are no longer safe havens for learning but targets for bandits and kidnappers, it signals a complete failure of leadership and security architecture. Our children deserve better than this atmosphere of fear and terror.”
He called on the Federal and State Governments to prioritize the safety of students and educators, demanding an immediate overhaul of school security measures, improved intelligence gathering, and decisive action against banditry and insurgency across the country. Atiku further urged increased investment in education infrastructure, teacher welfare, and the creation of safe learning environments nationwide.
The former Vice President extended his sympathies to the affected families, the school community, and the people of Kogi State, while commending the swift response by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and security agencies. He, however, stressed that reactive measures are no longer sufficient and that proactive, comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to restore confidence in the nation’s education system.
This latest incident adds to a worrying trend of school-targeted attacks in parts of Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the safety of students during critical examination periods.