Nigeria: “Stop Abuse of Children’s Rights – SCI, UNICEF, condemns attacks on schoolchildren
Save the Children International (SCI) has condemned the reoccurring attacks and abduction of school children in Nigeria.
Reacting to Friday’s kidnapping of over 300 schoolgirls in Zamfara State SCI in a statement called for the immediate release of minors while the aid organization also urged that the perpetrators should be held to account.
According to SCI: “Sadly, this is only the latest in a series of abductions in the region. Over the past months, hundreds of children in Nigeria have gone through the trauma of being abducted by armed groups. This includes 27 students who were kidnapped earlier this month in Niger state, and some 300 schoolboys who were abducted in Katsina in the country’s northwest in December last year”.
SCI’s country director Mercy Gichuhi, stated in the statement that the organization is deeply concerned about the abduction of the schoolgirls that the act of attacks on schools and students has become a recurring scenario in the Nigeria is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, (UNICEF) also stated that the school attack which came weeks after similar attack on school for boys in Niger State is a gross violation of children’s rights and a horrific experience for children to go through.
According to Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria the attacks could have long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being of the children.
He said: “We utterly condemn the attack and call on those responsible to release the girls immediately and for the government to take steps to ensure their safe release and the safety of all other schoolchildren in Nigeria”.
Our Nigeria News reports that over 300 female boarding Science secondary school students were abducted from Jangebe in Talata-Mafara LGA of Zamfara.
The attack had angered residents in the area who stormed the streets in their hundreds along with women and children, used sticks and stones to attack vehicles.
The angry mob attacked two vehicles conveying journalists from various media houses, including NAN, AIT, TVC, Channels and an online media Thunder Blowers whose cameraman was seriously wounded on his forehead and was rushed to Gusau, the state capital for treatment.
However, the state commissioner of Police, Mr Abutu Yaro, was quickly at the scene of the protest along with the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran to calming the protesters.
As of the time of filing this report, the destination of the schoolgirls and their abductors remains unknown as officials were yet to comment on the incident.