Atiku urges declaration of a security emergency

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the declaration of a security emergency.

Through a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President criticized the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, warning that attacks by terrorists and bandits are not only costing lives but also undermining the country’s education system.

He voiced these concerns on Wednesday following the recent assault on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals—including the school’s vice principal—and the abduction of several students.

Daily Post reports that on May 15, at least 90 schoolchildren were abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, and Mussa, Borno State, and the principal of the Oriire school was beheaded.

Atiku warned that a pattern of attacks targeting the education sector could stall the country’s development progress.

“It is high time the Federal Government declared a statement of emergency to empower commanders with more freedom to act decisively and proactively against these monsters in the country,” he said.

“I am not calling for the removal of elected officials, but rather advocating for commanders to have a freer hand to protect their battlefield decisions from political interference,” he added.