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Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent attacks and kidnappings of schoolchildren in parts of Borno and Oyo States, warning that the incidents signal a deepening security crisis that is undermining education in Nigeria.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Obi said the abductions recorded in Mussa Village in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reflect a worsening pattern of insecurity targeting schools.
Sad: Schoolchildren Now ‘Pawns in Ransom Economy’
There is nothing more heartbreaking for a nation than an inability to protect its children. The recent attacks and kidnappings of students from two schools—in Mussa Village, Askira/Uba LGA, Borno State (North-East) and…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 16, 2026
“The recent attacks and kidnappings of students from two schools, in Mussa Village, Askira/Uba LGA, Borno State (North-East) and Ahoro-Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State (South-West), mark a grave crisis that threatens the future of the nation.”
He described the development as a grave national concern, saying the inability to protect children represents a serious threat to the country’s future.
“Sad: Schoolchildren Now ‘Pawns in Ransom Economy’ There is nothing more heartbreaking for a nation than an inability to protect its children,” he said.
Obi said the incidents point to what he described as a situation where schoolchildren are increasingly being used as tools in a growing kidnapping-for-ransom economy, warning that the trend endangers the education system.
He noted that repeated attacks on schools are already discouraging attendance, particularly among girls, and worsening the number of out-of-school children across affected regions.
“The fear of further abduction often leads children, especially girls, to permanently leave school,” he said.
According to him, fear of abduction is forcing many children out of classrooms permanently, while communities exposed to such violence risk the gradual collapse of their education systems.
Obi stressed that securing schools is both a security and moral responsibility, calling for stronger community intelligence, improved protection of learning facilities, and accountability for perpetrators of such crimes.
He further said that safeguarding the next generation requires coordinated efforts involving local communities, strengthened infrastructure around schools, and an effective justice system that ensures offenders are punished.
“Ensuring the safety of schools is not just a logistical issue; it is a moral obligation,” he said.
He added that “protecting the next generation demands a blend of community-led intelligence, the physical strengthening of educational facilities, and a transparent justice system that holds wrongdoers accountable.”
The statement follows separate attacks in Borno State, where suspected insurgents reportedly stormed a school in Mussa Village during school hours and abducted students, with some escaping into nearby bushes.
In Oyo State, armed attackers invaded schools in Ahoro-Esinele community, killing a teacher and abducting a principal alongside several students before fleeing into a nearby forest
