The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has condemned the attack by bandits on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a statement titled “Sad: Our Children Are Now Pawns in a Deadly Ransom Economy”, Obi expressed sadness, lamenting that the attack came barely three weeks after more than 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted and are still being held captive in the forest.
“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. Armed bandits disguised in military uniforms invaded the school during an ongoing WAEC examination, killed the Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and attempted a mass abduction of students,” he stated.
Citing reports that local security personnel and vigilantes resisted the attackers and foiled the abduction attempt, Obi noted that making educational institutions soft targets is a direct assault on the nation’s future.
He stressed that targeting learning environments creates a psychological barrier to school enrolment and worsens Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, disproportionately forcing young girls out of formal education due to fear.
Obi emphasised that there is nothing more heartbreaking for a nation than being unable to protect its children.
He further condoled the family of the Vice Principal, who lost his life while defending the children entrusted to his care, and prayed that God would grant his soul eternal repose.
