Nigeria school attacks spur calls for security emergency

Armed bandits disguised in military uniforms assaulted the Government Secondary School in Iluke, Kabba‑Bunu LGA, Kogi State, killing Vice Principal Gani Anifowose and two others while attempting to abduct students. The incident follows other recent kidnappings, including more than 90 children taken from schools in Oyo and Borno states earlier in May.

Presidential hopeful Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress urged a declaration of a state of emergency on security, saying, “Nigeria is facing worsening insecurity that demands extraordinary measures, including state of emergency.” He proposed creating a national guard of retired veterans and improving human‑intelligence capabilities. Fellow presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress echoed the condemnation, describing the attacks as “a heartbreaking…bandit attack in a school” and calling the ransom‑driven kidnappings “a pawn in a deadly ransom economy.” Both candidates emphasized the need for decisive action to protect schools and prevent further disruption to education.