The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has poured out his grievance following another bandit attack on a school in Kogi State.

Tension and grief engulfed the Iluke Bunu community in Kogi State on Wednesday following a deadly bandit attack that reportedly claimed the life of the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke.

The Guardian gathered that the victim, identified as Gani Anifowose, was gruesomely killed during the attack carried out by armed bandits.

Residents say the community is currently under serious security threat as fear and panic continue to spread across the area.

In another disturbing development, reports indicate that students from three communities who were scheduled to sit for the English Language WAEC examination today have allegedly been kidnapped amid the insecurity ravaging the area.

The situation has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of students, teachers, and residents in vulnerable communities across Kogi State.

Reacting via a post he shared on his official X account, Obi said it is very sad that “Our children are now pawns in a deadly ransom economy.

“It is heartbreaking to report yet another bandit attack on a school, barely three weeks after over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted and are still languishing in the forest.

“The security situation in Kogi State has taken another tragic turn with a brutal bandit attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu LGA. Armed bandits disguised in military uniforms invaded the school during an ongoing WAEC examination, killed the Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and attempted a mass abduction of students.

“Reports from the scene indicate that local security personnel and vigilantes actively resisted the attackers and frustrated their abduction attempt.”

Obi lamented that making educational institutions soft targets is a direct assault on the nation’s future.

According to him, it creates a psychological barrier to school enrolment and worsens Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, disproportionately forcing young girls out of formal education due to fear.

The former Governor of Anambra State lamented that there is nothing more heartbreaking for a nation than being unable to protect its children.

The former presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 also sent his condolences go to the family of the late Vice Principal and all other victims of the Iluke attack.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the Vice Principal, who lost his life while gallantly defending the children entrusted to his care. May God grant his soul eternal repose,” Obi prayed.