LOKOJA, Nigeria — Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the killing of a vice principal during an armed attack on a secondary school in Kogi State, describing the incident as another tragic reminder of the growing threat insecurity poses to education in Nigeria.
Okay News reports that armed men reportedly dressed in military uniforms stormed Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area while students were sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The attackers allegedly killed the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and attempted to abduct students before local security personnel and vigilantes intervened.
Reacting to the incident, Obi said it was heartbreaking that schools continue to come under attack, noting that the latest assault occurred barely weeks after the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers who remain in captivity. He warned that turning educational institutions into targets undermines the country’s future and deepens Nigeria’s education crisis.
According to him, repeated attacks on schools create fear among parents and students, discourage enrolment and disproportionately affect girls, who are often withdrawn from school due to security concerns. He described the inability to guarantee the safety of children in schools as one of the most painful challenges facing the nation.
Obi paid tribute to the slain vice principal, saying he lost his life while protecting the students under his care. He extended his condolences to the family of the deceased educator and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The incident adds to growing concerns over attacks on schools and communities across parts of Nigeria, where criminal groups have increasingly targeted educational institutions for kidnappings and ransom demands.
