The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, has raised serious concerns over the abduction of 21 children who were working on a farmland in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 30.
UNICEF in a statement by its representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said, “UNICEF is concerned about the report of the abduction of no fewer than 21 children at a farm in Mairuwa community, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, North-west Nigeria.”
According to the statement, “Confirmed reports indicate the 21 children – 17 girls and 4 boys – aged between 15 and 18, were abducted last Sunday at about 12:30 p.m. by “bandits.”
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UNICEF further added that, “Abduction of children whether at home, at school, on the farm, or anywhere else, is reprehensible. Children should never be the target of violence, especially by anyone who should be protecting them.”
Munduate also said that the organization, is calling on the authorities to take necessary action to rescue the abducted children and reunite them with their families unhurt, and without delay.
UNICEF is also calling on the authorities to rescue other persons reported to have been kidnapped on the farm at the same time the children were abducted adding that, “this tragic incident is yet an indication of the danger children face by acts perpetrated by people who should protect them”.
Editor: Amaechi Anakwue
