Following the disturbing news of the abduction of more than 280 students, pupils, and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, UNICEF has expressed deep regret and emphasized the urgent need for swift action in response to the escalating incidents of such nature nationwide.
The assailants, reportedly armed bandits, carried out the attack, firing at their victims before forcefully taking away the students and educators from both schools.
UNICEF, in response to this distressing event, has pledged to collaborate actively with local authorities to provide support to affected families and parents through psychological assistance services.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, issued a statement expressing grave concern over the frequency of such incidents across the country, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action from all levels of government and society.
Munduate condemned the abduction, emphasizing that schools should serve as sanctuaries of learning and growth, not as sites of fear and violence. She highlighted the worrying trend of attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region, where armed groups have intensified their campaign of violence and kidnappings.
UNICEF urged immediate action to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and staff, calling on authorities to implement comprehensive measures to secure schools across Nigeria. Ensuring the safety and security of students and educators, Munduate stressed, is crucial for schools to fulfill their role as safe havens for learning and development.
Reiterating the fundamental right to education, Munduate emphasized the need to protect it against any form of violence or intimidation. UNICEF expressed solidarity with the families of the abducted students and staff, offering support during this difficult time.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with government entities, local communities, and various partners to address the root causes of violence against children and to safeguard educational environments from threats and violence.
In conclusion, UNICEF emphasized the importance of ensuring that every child grows up in an environment of peace, free from the looming threats of insecurity. The organization lamented the current deterioration in community safety, with children bearing the brunt of this decline in security.