Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent bandit attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, describing the incident as another painful reminder of the worsening insecurity affecting schools in Nigeria.
Obi made the remarks in a post on his social media page on Thursday, where he condemned the attack that reportedly left the Vice Principal of the school, Mr. Gani Anifowose, dead and saw armed assailants attempt to abduct students during an ongoing WAEC examination.
Newsmaxng reported on Wednesday that the attackers invaded the school community, which also coincided with WAEC examination activities, creating panic and leading to a confrontation with local security operatives and vigilantes who resisted the attack and disrupted the abduction from escalating.
Reacting to the incident, Obi lamented that Nigerian children are increasingly becoming victims of violent groups, warning that schools are being turned into easy targets.
He wrote: “It’s heartbreaking to report yet another bandit attack on a school, barely three weeks after over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted and are still languishing in the forest.”
He further noted that the attack reflects a deepening security crisis, stating that “the security situation in Kogi State has taken another tragic turn with a brutal bandit attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke in Kabba-Bunu LGA.”
Obi also alleged that the attackers disguised themselves in military uniforms and attempted a mass abduction of students during the examination period.
He warned that repeated attacks on educational institutions could have long-term consequences on access to education, especially for children in vulnerable communities.
According to him, “making educational institutions soft targets is a direct assault on the nation’s future,” adding that it could worsen Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and discourage school enrolment, particularly among girls.
Expressing sympathy with the bereaved, Obi extended condolences to the family of the deceased vice principal.
He said, “My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the Vice Principal, who lost his life while gallantly defending the children entrusted to his care. May God grant his soul eternal repose.”
Authorities had earlier confirmed that security operatives intervened during the attack, preventing what could have been a large-scale abduction of students.