UNICEF condemns abduction of students in Katsina, calls for their immediate release
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the attack and abduction of hundreds of students of the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state by unknown gunmen, calling for the immediate release of the students.
According to a press statement by the UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-Pierre Poitier, which was made available to newsmen in Bauchi, UNICEF calls for the immediate release of the students and their return to their respective families.
“On Friday evening, armed men attacked the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, northwest Nigeria. According to unconfirmed reports, hundreds of students are still unaccounted for”
“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms this brutal attack and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all children and their return to their families.”
“UNICEF is deeply concerned about these acts of violence. Attacks on schools are a violation of children’s rights and international humanitarian law”
“This is a grim reminder that abductions of children and widespread grave violations of children’s rights continue to take place in northern Nigeria.Children should feel safe at home, in schools and in their playgrounds at all times.
“We stand with the families of the missing children and the community affected by this horrifying incident.We acknowledge the efforts by the Government of Nigeria in undertaking all efforts for the safe return of the missing children.”The statement read
