‘Our schools must never become theatres of fear’ – Peter Obi 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has condemned the abduction of a school principal, students and a National Examinations Council, NECO, official during an examination in Kogi State, describing the incident as a disturbing reflection of the country’s worsening insecurity.

Obi made his position known in a statement posted on his official social media page on Wednesday. 

According to him, the attack, which occurred while students were sitting for their NECO examination, highlights the growing threat facing schools and the education sector, warning that insecurity continues to undermine the country’s future.

The former Anambra State governor said educational institutions should remain places of learning and hope rather than targets for criminal attacks.

“The news of the abduction of a school principal, students, and a NECO official in Kogi State while the students were writing their examination is both heartbreaking and deeply troubling,” Obi said.

He added, “That innocent children can no longer go to school, study, or sit for a national examination without the fear of criminal violence is a stark reminder of how far insecurity has eroded the sanctity of our educational institutions and the safety of our citizens.”

Obi called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims, urging them to deploy all available resources to ensure their safe and unconditional rescue.

He also appealed to governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents and restore public confidence in the nation’s education system.

“Our schools must never become theatres of fear; they should symbolise hope and the promise of a better future, not terror and uncertainty,” he stated.

Obi further expressed sympathy with the families of the abducted victims, the affected school community and residents of Kogi State, insisting that repeated attacks on schools should not become a normal occurrence.

“A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its children is mortgaging its future,” he added.