1000 students abducted in Nigeria since December last year – UNICEF

The United Nations Education Funds (UNICEF) said on Saturday at least 1000 students have been abducted by bandits in Nigeria since December 2020.

In a statement signed by its Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, the agency added that about 200 others are still in captivity.

It described the children’s abduction in school gross violation of their fundamental rights.

UNICEF, however, expressed happiness at Friday’s release of 91 students of Salihu Tanko Islamiya School Tegina, Niger State.

The statement read: “Children who went in search of knowledge were abducted at their school – which is supposed to be a safe place for them – while exercising their fundamental right to an education.

“They spent 88 days in the hands of their abductors before being freed yesterday. It is a tragedy and utterly unacceptable that one of these children died in captivity.

“We rejoice with the families whose children have been freed – and express our deepest condolences to little Hayatu’s family, who have just suffered the worst loss on top of the tragedy they have gone through for the last 88 days.

READ ALSO: UNICEF demands release of 150 abducted Niger Islamiyya students

“No family should lose a child just because it took the right decision to send that child to school. Schools should not be a target. Children should not be a target. Education is a fundamental right of every child and any attack on an educational institution is a violation of that right.

“We reiterate our call to authorities take all necessary measures to ensure schools are safe for all children.”

UNICEF said it would work with partners to provide mental health, psychosocial support and counselling services to both the freed learners and their parents.

“The release of the Tegina students comes in the run-up to the International Day to Protect Education from Attack slated for September 9.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now