The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sought the immediate release of 150 Tsangaya pupils abducted at the Salisu Tanko Islamiya school in Tegina, Rafi local government Area of Niger.
This is coming two weeks since the abduction of the children.
The UN agency in a statement by Officer in Charge, Representative UNICEF in Nigeria, Mr Rushnan Murtaza, said the organization is worried about the fate of the children, some of whom are as young as three years old.
According to him, “We are appalled that two weeks after 150 students were abducted from their school, they continue to be held by their abductors.
“Parents are grieving their children’s ‘disappearance’; siblings are missing their brothers and sisters – these children must be immediately and unconditionally released and safely reunited with their families.”
“It is horrifying that schools and schoolchildren continue to be targets of the attack – and in this particular incident, even children as young as 3 years old. We can only begin to imagine how frightened they are, and the impact this will have on their mental health and well-being.”
UNICEF stressed that attacks on students and schools are not only reprehensible but a gross violation of the right of children to an education. It is a right that any society can ill-afford to violate.
The organization called on the Nigerian Government to take all measures to protect schools in the country and implement the promises made in financing safe schools in Nigeria so that children will not be fearful of going to school and parents afraid of sending their children to school.
“Schools must be safe places to study and develop, and learning should not be a risky endeavour,” said Rushnan Murtaza. “There are very few – if any – things more important for any society than ensuring the safe education of its children”.
