Zamfara Schoolgirls: Buhari commends release, UNICEF tasks gov’t on safe schools

Zamfara Schoolgirls: Buhari commends release, UNICEF tasks gov’t on safe schools

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed joy over the release of abducted Government Girls’ Secondary School Jangebe in Zamfara State.

While reacting to the release, according to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said “I join the families and people of Zamfara State in welcoming and celebrating the release of these traumatized female students”.

Garba Shehu said that the President was excited that the student’s ordeal came to a happy end without any incident, adding that “being held in captivity is an agonizing experience not only for the victims, but also their families and all of us.”

While warning that “Ransom payments will continue to prosper kidnapping,” he urged the Police and the Military to go after these kidnappers and bring them to justice”.

UNICEF who also commended the return of the schoolgirls and expressed relieved over the news of the release of the over 200 students called on the Federal Government to initiate measures to protect schools in the country.

According to Peter Hawkins, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative in a statement, schools must be seen to be protected so as to eliminate fear among children in order to school attendant.

Hawkins said: “Schools must be safe places to study and develop, and learning should not become a risky endeavour.

The United Nations agency assured that it will be providing psychosocial support to the released girls and their families in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.