Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the abduction of a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) invigilator, and several students from Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a statement issued on his social media platforms on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Obi described the attack by gunmen as “heartbreaking and deeply troubling”.
He lamented that innocent children are no longer safe in their schools.
“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.
“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 said.
The former Anambra State governor emphasised the critical role of education in nation-building and warned that schools must never become “theatres of fear.”
“I call on the relevant security agencies to act with urgency, deploy every available resource, and ensure the safe and unconditional rescue of all those abducted.
“At the same time, government at all levels must take deliberate steps to strengthen security around our schools and restore public confidence in our education system.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, the school community, and the people of Kogi State. We cannot continue to normalise these recurring tragedies. A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its children is mortgaging its future,” Obi added.
