The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF , has stated that an estimated 200 Nigerian students are believed to still be held, following school abductions that have plagued the country, since December 2020.
The organization also said, more than 1,000 students have been abducted in attacks from December 2020 to date.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Communication Specialist in charge of the Kano Field Office, Samuel Kaalu.
The organization was reacting to the release of 90 students of Salihu Tanko Islamiya School Tegina, in Niger State.
The students were abducted three months ago.
UNICEF has also condemned the death of one child who died while being held by his abductors.
It further asked the Nigerian government to do all it takes to protect the rights of children while seeking knowledge, against all odds.
According to the statement, the Organizations representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, condemned the act and was quoted as saying, “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 education.”
The statement further added that the pupils spent 88 days in captivity before being freed on August 27.
He described the deed as a tragedy and utterly unacceptable, that one of the children died in captivity.
The Organization through Hawkins, also added that the deceased pupil was just 6 years old, at the time of his death and expressed condolences to his family, while rejoicing with the families of those children who have been freed.
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It added that no family should lose a child, just because it took the right decision to send that child to school, as education is a fundamental right of every child, and any attack on an educational institution is a violation of that right.
The organization further called on the relevant authorities, to take all necessary measures, to ensure that schools are safe for all children.
He promised that it will work with partners to provide mental health, psychosocial support and counselling services, to both the freed pupils and their parents.
The release of the Tegina students comes, according to the statement, in the run-up to the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, on September 9, of which Nigeria is set to host the Fourth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration, on October 25 to 27.
The theme of the Conference is, “Ensuring Safe Education for All: From Commitment to Practice.”
The Safe Schools Declaration, a political commitment to protect education during armed conflict, has been endorsed by 108 states, including Nigeria.
The statement further added that the October conference will be the first to be held in Africa.
It provides an opportunity to galvanise support for, and accelerate the implementation of the declaration, by bringing together, governments, practitioners, and civil society, to share the good practices and strengthen cooperation, to save
lives and safeguard the right to education for all.
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)
