By Isiaka Mustapha, ABUJA
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC)
presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Federal Government over the abduction of students, a school principal, and a National Examinations Council (NECO) official in Kogi State, describing the incident as a disturbing indication of worsening insecurity and declining protection for educational institutions across the country.
during the ongoing Senior Secondary Certificate Examination highlights
what he called the government’s inability to safeguard schools and guarantee a secure learning environment for Nigerian students.
Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president expressed concern that students can no longer participate in public examinations without fear of violence, abduction or disruption.
He described the incident as both tragic and unacceptable, stressing that schools should remain safe spaces dedicated to learning, personal development, and national progress.
According to Atiku, the abduction of examination candidates, a school
administrator, and an examination official demonstrates a serious breakdown in security and governance.
“Schools are meant to inspire hope and opportunity, not fear and uncertainty. It is deeply troubling that those responsible for educating and examining young Nigerians now face threats from criminal
elements while carrying out their duties,” he stated.
The former vice president argued that the Kogi incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on educational institutions, noting that schools in several parts of the country have increasingly become targets for kidnappers and armed groups.
He warned that the continued vulnerability of schools could have
long-term consequences for education and national development if urgent measures are not implemented.
Atiku further linked the security challenges facing schools to what he
described as inadequate government attention to the education sector.
According to him, educational institutions have suffered from
insufficient investment, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of
comprehensive security measures designed to protect students, teachers, and examination personnel.
He maintained that many Nigerian families are already struggling with
the financial burden of education and that insecurity has compounded the challenges facing students nationwide.
“The combination of rising educational costs and persistent security threats places enormous pressure on families and undermines confidence in the nation’s educational system,” he said.
The former vice president also questioned the government’s spending
priorities, arguing that critical sectors such as education and security require greater attention and investment.
He stressed that protecting schools should be treated as a national priority, particularly at a time when students are preparing for important examinations that shape their academic and professional futures.
Atiku warned that repeated attacks on schools could embolden criminal
groups and discourage parents from sending their children to school,
especially in vulnerable communities.
He described the protection of educational institutions as a fundamental responsibility of the government, adding that no student
should be exposed to violence while pursuing an education.
Calling for urgent action, he urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted during the attack.
He also advocated a comprehensive review of security arrangements in
schools and examination centres across the country to prevent similar
incidents from recurring.
According to Atiku, the safety of students and teachers must remain a central consideration in national security planning, given the critical role education plays in the country’s future.
He concluded by stating that Nigerian children deserve access to safe
classrooms, quality education, and an environment where learning can take place without fear or intimidation.
The Kogi incident has once again drawn attention to concerns over the security of schools in Nigeria, particularly in regions that have experienced repeated attacks on educational institutions in recent
years.
Security experts and education stakeholders have continued to call for
stronger protective measures, improved surveillance systems, enhanced community engagement, and increased investment in school security
infrastructure to safeguard students and education personnel nationwide.
