UNICEF happy over release of 27 Kagara Students

Urges Action On Release, Safe Return Of 317 Schoolgirls

The leadership of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed delight over release of 27 students of Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State, who were recently abducted. 

In a statement made available, yesterday, to The Guardian by the international organisation, the UNICEF Nigeria representative, Peter Hawkins said: “I am relieved to receive the long-awaited news of the 27 students of Government Science College in Kagara, abducted from their school over a week ago. I look forward to their safe return to their families, while I commiserate with the family that lost their child in the assault…”

According to him, the school attack resembled that of Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State. 

“It is sad that children have become the target of attacks in environments where they ought to feel safe,” he said.

“Attacks on educational facilities are a grave violation of children’s rights. Children should never be the target of attacks.

“Why are children often victims of attacks on their schools? Such attacks do not only negate the rights of children to education, they also make children fearful of going to school, and parents afraid to send their children to school.”

While urging government to expedite action on the release and safe return of the kidnapped students of Government Girls Secondary School Jangebe and other abducted school children “yet to be released,” he said schools “must be a safe place to study and develop. Learning should not become a perilous endeavour.”