Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the declaration of a State of emergency on security in the country.
The call by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) became imperative following the worsening security situation in the country.
Atiku in a statement issued Wednesday by his Media office raised the concern following the latest attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State in which three persons, including the Vice Principal of the school, and two others were killed while several students were abducted.
Recall that a total of not less than 90 school children were on May 15 abducted in Oriire, Oyo State and Mussa, Borno State and the principal in the Oriire school beheaded.
Atiku expressed worry that there is a pattern in these attacks aimed at crippling our education sector and consequently stalling our development strides.
Atiku noted: “The latest attack on a school in Kogi State is a direct threat to education and a colossal national embarrassment that demands urgent and drastic action.
“It is high time the Federal Government declared a statement of emergency to empower commanders with more freedom to act decisively and proactively with these monsters in the county,” Atiku said.
“I am not in any way calling for the removal of elected officials, but rather advocating for commanders to have freer hand to protect their battlefield decisions from political interference.”
The ADC Presidential candidate explained that “Nigeria is facing worsening insecurity that demands extraordinary measures, including state of emergency.
“Learning can only take place in a safe environment and terrorist attacks on schools are increasingly making our schools dangerous places. Worse still, the anxiety and trauma that follow terrorist attacks on schools will inevitably make the school environment unsafe for both students and teachers.
“Under no circumstances, should we allow terrorists or bandits to destroy our way of life and stop our children from going to school.”