Follow Us on Google
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the recent activities of armed bandits in Kaduna State that resulted in the abduction of over 200 school children at Kuriga, Kaduna State.
The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away the pupils and some of their teachers.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, in a statement, said that the alarming frequency of attacks on educational facilities across the country signals a crisis that requires immediate and determined action from all levels of government and society.
She said: “Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not sites of fear and violence. This latest abduction, as any previously, is highly condemnable and part of a worrying trend of attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest, where armed groups have intensified their campaign of violence and kidnappings.
“Just a day prior to this incident, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, spoke about the abductions of large numbers of women, girls and boys by members of a non-state armed group in Borno state.
“UNICEF urges immediate action to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and staff, and calls on authorities to implement comprehensive measures to secure schools across Nigeria.
“It is imperative that the safety and security of students and educators are guaranteed, allowing schools to fulfill their role as safe havens for learning and development.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the abducted students and staff, and we stand with them in this harrowing time. The right to education is fundamental and must be protected against any form of violence or intimidation. The children of Nigeria deserve to learn in peace,” she said.
She confirmed that UNICEF is coordinating with local officials and providing assistance to the affected parents and families through psychological support services, adding that UNICEF is dedicated to collaborating with government entities, local communities, and various partners to tackle the fundamental issues leading to violence against children and to safeguard educational environments from threats and violence.
“Every child deserves to grow up in an environment of peace, away from the looming shadows of threats and insecurity. Unfortunately, we are currently facing a significant deterioration in community safety, with children disproportionately suffering the consequences of this decline in security,” she added.
